India Today : Jan 23, 2019, 11:01 AM
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah's rally in West Bengal's Jhargram has been cancelled, following the state administration's denial of permission for landing of his chopper in the area. Amit Shah was scheduled to land at Jhargram, located in the southern part of the state, this morning.BJP leaders Kailash Vijayavargiya and Roopa Ganguly are likely to attend the rally in his place. Union minister Smriti Irani is also expected to be in attendance.West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee had allegedly red-flagged Amit Shah's chopper -- for the second time, earlier last night.The BJP workers spent whole of last night trying to convince the magistrate for the required permission, but to no avail.The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government had earlier denied permission for landing Shah's chopper in Malda district -- where the BJP chief eventually held a rally last evening (Tuesday).In its defence, the Malda district administration had said it was not possible to grant permission to land VVIP helicopters that week."Moreover, temporary helipad is not maintained properly due to this ongoing construction work. In this situation, Malda Airport is not suitable for safe landing of helicopters. Hence, granting of permission [for Amit Shah's chopper] is not possible," the letter read.In Tuesday's rally, Amit Shah launched the BJP’s poll campaign in the state with the Ganatanatra Bachao Yatra. He said the Opposition's coming-together as grand alliance was driven by greed for power. He alleged that the TMC leaders in the state were collecting syndicate tax from helpless people.On its part, the TMC said the content of Shah’s speech was a reflection of his nervousness.This comes days after the Supreme Court stopped the BJP from holding rath yatras in West Bengal. The state government had raised apprehensions that law and order would be compromised and communal harmony disturbed if the BJP was allowed to hold rath yatras in the state.The top court, however, later allowed the BJP to hold rallies across West Bengal.