'Did Not Want to Create Controversy, But...': Gehlot Refutes Home Ministry's Statement On Helicopter Approval

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has responded to the Ministry of Home Affairs after it issued a statement denying any restriction on flights of Chief Ministers or Governors during the G20 Summit. Gehlot, in a Hindi post on X, explained the situation, saying, "Yesterday, I had a plan to travel from Udaipur to Jaipur by plane and then from Jaipur to Sikar and from Sikar to Niwai by helicopter. However, I was informed that, due to G-20 protocol, the helicopter or plane can only travel when the CM is on board."

He further mentioned that the flight permission was requested in the morning but was only approved in the evening after he posted about the inconvenience on social media. Gehlot stated, "Permission to fly the helicopter was requested via email at 10.48 AM, but it was not granted until 2.50 PM. I tweeted at 2.52 PM to explain the reason for my inability to come and also informed Shri Om Das Maharaj at Sangliya Peeth. After this, permission was granted at 3.58 PM, but by then, I had already left Udaipur for Jaipur by plane. Upon reaching Jaipur, I traveled by road."

He clarified that he didn't want to create any controversy related to the G-20 and had only informed the public about the facts. However, he expressed disappointment with the Home Ministry for providing incorrect information to the public.

Previously, the Union Home Ministry had stated that no requests from the Rajasthan CM were denied, and all four flight permission requests he submitted were approved.

Gehlot had earlier mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs did not allow his helicopter to fly from Udaipur to Sikar due to the G20 Summit, preventing him from attending an event at Sanglia Peeth, Sikar.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had made a similar claim, stating that he couldn't attend the President's G20 dinner because non-scheduled flights to and from Delhi were not permitted due to the no-fly zone.