Election officials in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris conducted a routine check on a helicopter transporting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday, according to sources familiar with the matter. The flying squad officials carried out a search of the helicopter after it landed in the Nilgiris, as confirmed by local police.
Sources within the election commission clarified that the search of Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was a standard procedure aimed at ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. They emphasized that such checks are part of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) directives to prevent any potential inducements during the election period.
"As part of the preparations for the elections, all district magistrates, superintendents of police, and enforcement agencies were instructed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to closely monitor airfields and helipads. These searches are being conducted at both public and private airfields across the country to prevent any attempt to influence voters through air transportation," the sources explained.
The incident occurred while Rahul Gandhi was en route to Wayanad, his parliamentary constituency in Kerala, where he had scheduled campaign events including a roadshow and a public meeting.
Rahul Gandhi, who emerged victorious from Wayanad in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is now contesting for re-election in the constituency.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi will face opposition from Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI), an ally of the Opposition INDIA bloc, as well as from K Surendran, the Kerala state chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kerala, with its 20 Lok Sabha seats, is set to vote on April 26 in a single phase, while the Lok Sabha elections in 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu are scheduled for April 19.
