Following the engine snag, the two BJP leaders shelved their plans to travel to Imphal for the swearing-in ceremony of N Biren Singh as Manipur chief minister, sources said.
Naidu along with Shah and BJP leader Ram Lal had left for Imphal at 9.39 am from the IndiraGandhiInternationalAirport. The special chartered aircraft was carrying three more passengers besides the BJP leaders.
After taking off, the ‘Falcon 200’ business jet of AR Airways developed some problem in its engine prompting the pilot to return to the airport at 10.17 am, airport sources said.
Governor Najma Heptulla had on Tuesday invited Singh, who was unanimously elected the leader of the 21-member BJP legislature party, to form the government.
The invitation to Singh came after four members of the Naga People’s Front, a National Democratic Alliance ally, met the Governor and declared their support to BJP for government formation.