On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter was unable to land at the Taherpur helipad in Nadia district due to poor visibility.
After assessing the weather conditions, the pilot determined that it was unsafe to touch down and returned to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. As a result, PM Modi will address the rally virtually from Kolkata.
Initially, state BJP leaders explored the option of travelling by road to Taherpur for the two scheduled programmes, one administrative and one political, but the nearly 100-kilometre distance made this impractical.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, confirmed that the helicopter could not land at Taherpur.
Authorities had prepared two separate platforms at the venue for the Prime Minister’s engagements.
From the first dais, PM Modi was to virtually inaugurate several central government projects in West Bengal. He was then scheduled to move to the second dais to address the political rally.
By then, BJP supporters had already filled the rally ground hours before the Prime Minister’s expected arrival.
Eventually, security personnel closed the entry gates, leaving thousands of supporters waiting outside.
News of the helicopter’s inability to land led to frustration among many attendees.
The Taherpur rally originally intended to mark the launch of the BJP’s sustained campaign against the Trinamool Congress, focusing on the contentious citizenship issue concerning the Matua community.
Despite the setback, arrangements ensured that PM Modi will address the rally virtually, allowing him to connect with supporters and inaugurate the projects as planned.
The incident highlights the logistical challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, while also demonstrating how virtual technology ensures continuity of political and administrative programmes.
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