Bihar Poll Officer’s Explanation on Mallikarjun Kharge’s Helicopter Search Controversy
\
Credit: India Today
1. “Bihar Election Controversy: Insights on Mallikarjun Kharge’s Helicopter Search”
2. “Understanding the Bihar Poll Officer’s Response to the Helicopter Search Issue”
3. “Election Controversy in Bihar: The CEO’s Clarification on Helicopter Search”
4. “Mallikarjun Kharge’s Helicopter Search: Bihar Chief Electoral Officer’s Explanation”
5. “Analyzing the Helicopter Search Controversy in Bihar’s Election Environment”
13.05.2024: Amidst the Bihar election fervor, controversy arose when Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s helicopter underwent scrutiny by authorities during his visit to the state. The incident sparked protests from his party and alliance partners, raising questions about possible bias in the election process.
The Bihar Chief Electoral Officer stepped in to address these concerns, dismissing allegations of targeting the opposition. The CEO clarified that the checking of Mr. Kharge’s helicopter was part of a routine procedure, consistent with the protocols followed for other political leaders like Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief J P Nadda.
In a social media post, the CEO emphasized, “The allegation that only the helicopter of a leader of one national party was checked is baseless.” He highlighted instances where helicopters of prominent leaders, including Mr. Shah and Mr. Nadda, were also inspected during their visits to Bihar.
The CEO’s statement aimed to dispel any notion of preferential treatment or unfair practices, reiterating that such checks are standard procedure as per the guidelines set by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) during election periods.
This clarification comes in response to accusations from Bihar Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathod, who suggested that EC officials were selectively targeting opposition figures while allowing NDA leaders to move freely.
The incident underscores the sensitivity and scrutiny surrounding election processes, with transparency and adherence to established protocols being paramount to ensure a fair and impartial electoral environment.