Rahul Gandhi's meeting in Siliguri canceled after permission denied for chopper landing

Congress president Rahul Gandhi's proposed meeting at Siliguri has been cancelled after the Congress leadership was denied permission for his chopper to land at the police ground there. Senior Congress leader and the party's Darjeeling Lok Sabha candidate Shankar Malakar said he had sought permission for Gandhi's chopper to land at the police ground on April 14 but it was denied by the police.

"We had to cancel the rally as we didn't get the permission," Malakar said. Siliguri Police Commissioner B L Meena confirmed that the Congress had sought permission for landing a helicopter at police ground which was denied.

"We had denied permission for that specific ground. There are some rules due to which it was not allowed. But they didn't come up with any alternative venue," Meena said.

Amid the blame game, the infighting in Bengal Congress came out in open as state Congress president Somen Mitra said he was not aware of the rally of the AICC chief. "I can't say whether or not a rally is going to be held. Please don't ask me this question," Mitra said.

A senior state Congress leader said Mitra was miffed as Malakar who, without informing him, had sought permission for Gandhi's rally, on his own. "We are all soldiers of Rahul Gandhi. There is no doubt about it. But some of our candidates without informing the PCC chief is announcing that they are planning to hold rallies of Rahul Gandhi, even without seeking permission from his office. This is not sending out the right message," a senior state Congress leader said.

Gandhi so far addressed two election rallies in the state - one at Malda and another at Raiganj.

(With inputs from agencies.)