Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi faced an unexpected delay after his helicopter remained grounded in Jharkhand’s Godda awaiting clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Reportedly, the helicopter was allowed to take off after a delay of 45 minutes amid high-stakes campaigning for the final phase of the state’s assembly elections.

The Congress alleged that the hold-up was a calculated move to disrupt Rahul Gandhi’s campaign schedule. Reports said that the party leaders pointed fingers at Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi’s rally in Chakai, about 150 kilometres from Godda, suggesting that the Air Traffic Control’s decision prioritised the PM’s event over Mr Gandhi’s movements.

Congress MLA from Mahagama Constituency, Deepika Pandey Singh said that just because the PM is in Deogarh, Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to cross that area. Calling the delay unacceptable, the Congress MLA said that there is the protocol they understand but Congress ruled the country for 70 years and such an incident never happened with any opposition leader. 

She further added that during Lok Sabha election BJP have frozen bank accounts, created hurdles for the opposition, and now the party is obstructing their campaign efforts to prevent them from contesting election on equal footing. 

Earlier, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren sought President’s intervention over the delay in his chopper takeoff due to concern over PM Narendra Modi’s security. Kalpana Soren also alleged that she was prevented from flying to campaign in Latehar and accused the BJP and opposition parties for hindering the party’s effort to reach people.  

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft experienced a technical glitch due to which the aircraft had to remain at the Deogharh airport causing a delay in his return to the national capital. 

The first phase of Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024 was held on November 13. The second phase will be held on November 20. The results for the election will be declared on November 23. 

In a horrific incident, six people died in a car accident in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun earlier this week while returning from a party. The incident occurred around 1.30 am at the ONGC Chowk on November 12 when the car they were in collided with a truck, reducing their vehicle to a mangled wreck.

A video of the incident is doing rounds across social media platforms which shows the impact of the collision was so strong that it tore off the Toyota Innova’s roof and twisted it. Two passengers were left decapitated in the incident. The disturbing video also showed one of the victim’s head ripped off, while another person’s body can be seen twisted inside the crushed car. Multiple other body parts of the victims are also seen scattered around the road.

Reports stated that a group of seven friends were returning from a party that night and were drunk. The police identified the victims as Kumal Kukreja (23), Atul Agrawal (24), Rishabh Jain (24), Navya Goel (23), Kamakshi (20), and Guneet (19). The officials added that the seventh person, Siddhesh Agrawal (25), who had reportedly hosted the party in Dehradun, is the sole survivor but remains in a critical condition.

The officials said that while six victims hailed from Dehradun, Kukreja is from Himachal Pradesh. The police asserted that it was not immediately clear where the group was coming from and an investigation is underway.

Reacting to the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed grief at the loss of lives in the incident. He said that the news of the death of six youths in a road accident in Dehradun is extremely heart-rending. He prayed that God might grant the departed souls a place at his sacred feet and give strength to the bereaved families to bear the immense pain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary in Bihar’s Jamui. He tried his hand at playing traditional tribal instruments for the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebrations.

A video shows the Prime Minister enthusiastically beating a traditional dhol, engaging with the local tribal customs as part of the 150th birth anniversary year commemoration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He also received a traditional tribal welcome, during which he participated by playing an indigenous musical instrument.

Furthermore, PM Narendra Modi also unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honor of the revered tribal freedom fighter, acknowledging his legacy and contributions to India’s independence.

In a major boost to development in Bihar, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore. Reportedly, these initiatives are aimed at driving infrastructure and socio-economic growth across the state. He also virtually took part in the Grih Pravesh ceremony for 11,000 tribal family dwellings constructed under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

In a bid to strengthen healthcare facilities in distant tribal regions, he launched 23 mobile medical units (MMUs) as part of PM-JANMAN, alongside 30 additional MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA). Reports said that the inauguration included 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, designed to support enterprise development and enhance living standards.

He also inaugurated two Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums situated in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar and Gangtok, dedicated to preserving tribal community heritage.

Additionally, he also laid the foundation for 500 km of fresh roadways and 100 multi-purpose centres serving as community facilities in tribal areas. PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for construction of 25,000 new residences under PM-JANMAN, 1.16 lakh houses under DAJGUA, and 370 accommodation facilities for tribal students.