Varun's chopper not allowed to land, says BJP

BJP leader Varun Gandhi was on Saturday allegedly denied permission to land in Hathras district to address a public meeting, prompting the Pilibhit MP to accuse ruling BSP of conspiring to prevent him from meeting people.

"Varun Gandhi was scheduled to address a public meeting at Sikandararau tehsil of Hathras district, but the district administration denied permission to his helicopter to land," state BJP president Surya Pratap Shahi alleged.

As Varun did not reach the rally venue, he later addressed the meeting through mobile phone and alleged that the BSP government conspired to prevent him from addressing the rally and meeting people among whom there was resentment against the BSP government, party sources said.

"I would come again after 10 days, let me see who can prevent me from doing that," the young BJP leader was quoted as saying.

State BJP chief Shahi accused the BSP of creating hurdles in the party's programmes as it was afraid of the party's growing popularity.

He claimed that though the organisers had taken prior permission, Varun's helicopter was not allowed to land.

However, when contacted Superintendent of Police Chandra Prakash denied that the administration refused to give permission to Varun Gandhi's chopper to land and said it had made all security arrangements in view of the rally, but the BJP leader himself did not arrive to address it.