Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati on Tuesday hit out at the Samajwadi Party (SP) government for refusing permission for the landing of her helicopter at the rally ground. She said, “when my government returns to power, a highlevel inquiry would be ordered into the matter. Strict action would be taken against the officers who refused to grant permission for the landing of my chopper near the rally ground.”

Addressing the party workers at Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, Mayawati also said, “I had to reach the rally ground by road. Owing to the movement of my fleet, the police stopped the BSP workers who were on foot. The movement of traffic was also disrupted.”

Before the start of the meeting, BSP national general secretary Naseemuddin Siddiqui announced “behenji has left her residence (13 Mall Avenue) for the rally ground by road. She will arrive here within a few minutes.” The workers became restive when Mayawati’s arrival was delayed.

During the BSP regime, Mayawati used to fly to the rally ground by helicopter. The state government had constructed a special helipad at the La Martinere ground, as well as near the Ramabai Ambedkar ground for the take-off and landing of the chopper. The state government had also purchased an aeroplane and a helicopter for the movement of the chief minister.

Mayawati alleged the present government resorted to many tricks to foil her rally. She claimed the trains and buses carrying BSP workers were stopped and parking permission was not granted to vehicles transporting workers to the rally ground. Still, lakhs of workers thronged the ground to make the rally a grand success, she said.