Helicopters of Abhishek, Rahul Gandhi searched, Mamata criticizes central agencies

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday challenged Income Tax (IT) officials to inspect helicopters used by BJP leaders for election campaigning, a day after Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of “raids” by IT officials. A dispute arose over the claim. The helicopter used by party leader Abhishek Banerjee was targeted.

Meanwhile, election officials in Tamil Nadu investigated a helicopter carrying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Police said flying squad officials conducted a search after the helicopter landed in the Nilgiris.

Gandhi was visiting his parliamentary constituency, Wayanad in Kerala, where he has many campaign activities including public meetings. He is contesting the April 26 Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad for the second consecutive term.

Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar, the West Bengal CM alleged that the BJP was misusing central agencies against TMC ahead of the elections. “Income tax officials raided and searched Abhishek Banerjee’s chopper before the trial run, but found nothing. Those IT officials claimed they had inputs that there was money and gold in the chopper, but they found nothing. We It is the BJP which is not involved in such acts. But will officials of any central agency ever dare to check the helicopters of BJP leaders?” He said.