Belthangady, April 22: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D. K. Shivakumar was shocked on Saturday when the Election Commission officials checked the helicopter of Usha Shivakumar wife of D.K. Shivakumar at Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district.
It was strange that the helicopter in which Shivakumar and his staff travelled was not checked whereas the chopper which was used by his wife, daughter and son-in-law was subjected for a thorough check on its landing at the helipad in the outskirts of Belthangady town.
The pilot was seen arguing with the EC officials saying that it was a private helicopter and not meant for election purpose and hence there is no need to subject it for checking. “We have shown all papers and got it authenticated in Bangalore,” the pilot was seen telling the officials.
Shivakumar, on his part, said that he has no complaints against the officials as they are doing their duty.
“I have come to have the darshan and blessings of Lord Manjunatha at Dharmasthala. I pray for the welfare of the entire state. I don’t want to speak politics in the temple premises. Now, I am going to have the blessings of Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade. That’s all I have got to say,” Shivakumar told the media persons.
EC officials, however, assert that they have powers to check any vehicle if they feel that there “could” be something amiss and ominous.
“That is the reason why we have put up check posts in all the cities as well as in the National and State Highways. We have powers to stop any vehicle, including flights and helicopters, and subject it for checking. We have not done anything wrong with respect to today’s incident,” an official said.
However, Congress party has described the Belthangady Helicopter checking incident as an yet another instance of harassing D.K. Shivakumar by the BJP and its establishment.
“This only proves that the saffron party is in panic and jitters after having realized that it is for sure of its defeat. The BJP can go to any length to harass its political and ideological opponants,” Congress Vice President Prof Radhakrisna said, while speaking to The Newz Peg.
EOM
