Choppers land Rahul, NDA in row

The National Democratic Alliance on Tuesday complained to the Election Commission that authorities in Uttar Pradesh denied landing permission to the helicopter carrying Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav, but instead allowed Congress parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi to land at the same spot for electioneering.

An NDA delegation consisting of the JD-U's Shambhu Shrivastwa and Prakash Javadekar of the Bharatiya Janata Party met the Election Commissioners in New Delhi, alleging that Yadav was treated with discrimination by the district administration at Badaun.

"This kind of discriminatory attitude is beyond comprehension," it said in its memorandum.

Yadav was originally given permission to land at the Police Lines grounds at Badaun on April 14, but his helicopter had to land at a different location where there were no security arrangements, it alleged.

"Instead, Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was allowed to land at the Police Lines ground with all security," it said.

The NDA sought adequate security for the JD-U chief during the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh.

"The commission has assured us that it would inquire into the matter," Shrivastwa said.

In a separate meeting with the EC, Congress parliamentarian V Narayanaswami complained about delay in permission to Rahul's road show in Moradabad and Aligarh.

"The delay by district authorities was aimed at creating such a situation that the road show could not succeed," he said.