Bihar CEO Clarifies: Helicopter Checks on Shah, Nadda Show No Opposition Bias

In a recent development from Bihar, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has addressed and refuted allegations of biased treatment towards the Congress party, specifically concerning the inspection of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's helicopter. This clarification comes after the incident on Saturday, where authorities conducted a check on Kharge's helicopter at Samastipur, coinciding with his election rally engagements in the state. The action sparked considerable uproar among Congress members and their allies, who viewed it as a targeted move against the opposition.

The Bihar CEO took to social media to clarify that the inspection was part of a standard operating procedure (SOP) and not an isolated incident aimed at the Congress leader. Highlighting the impartiality of the procedure, the CEO noted that similar checks were conducted on helicopters belonging to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief J.P. Nadda during their visits to Bihar last month. The CEO's statement aimed to dispel any notions of unfair treatment by stating, "The allegation that only the helicopter of a leader of one national party was checked is baseless."

According to the CEO's social media post, the helicopters of notable BJP figures J.P. Nadda and Amit Shah underwent inspections on their respective visits to Bhagalpur on April 24, 2024, and Katihar on April 21, 2024. These checks are in accordance with protocols established by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), ensuring that election campaign activities adhere to security guidelines.

The controversy initially erupted when Bihar Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathod accused Election Commission officials of selectively targeting opposition leaders while allegedly allowing leaders from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to proceed without such inspections. This claim has been categorically denied by the Bihar CEO, emphasizing that security checks are uniformly applied regardless of political affiliation.

This incident underscores the heightened scrutiny and tensions surrounding electoral processes in India, where adherence to security protocols and fairness remains a paramount concern for all parties involved. The clarification from the Bihar CEO seeks to reassure stakeholders of the unbiased application of security measures during election times.