The Government of Uttarakhand declined to grant permission to BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi to fly to Badrinath when its portal re-opens on May 5, citing an Election Commission directive in this regard.
The Chief Election Commissioner has disallowed leaders of political parties and cabinet ministers in Uttarakhand from taking part in special prayers offered as part of the beginning of the Char Dham yatra on May 2.
"Nobbody is above the EC’s clear cut-cut directive to this effect. It applies to all political leaders irrespective of their political stature," said a senior IPS officer in Dehradun.
A state home department official told TOI that a top police officer had received a call from the Gujarat government urging him to beef up security during Modi’s visit for Badrinath yatra.
He said a top IPS officer in the Gujarat government had also requested the Uttarakhand authorities to arrange for Modi’s chopper’s trial landings at Badrinath helipad. The Congress-led government, however, turned down the Gujarat government’s request, he said.
A senior government functionary said the state government was not against anyone flying to offer prayers for Char Dham yatra, but it is bound by the EC’s strict directive in this regard.
Published Date: May 2, 2014
