Anupam Kumar-Krishna Kumar, Patna
Lok Sabha Election 2024 With the sound of the Lok Sabha elections, the demand for hiring helicopters on a large scale for rapid election campaigning in the Lok Sabha constituencies of the state has increased. A helicopter of RJD has even reached Patna airport. Its rent is Rs 5.5 lakh per hour. However, despite it being an expensive service, almost all political parties have started arranging this ‘Udan Khatole’ for the needs of election campaign.
Election campaign will be conducted in Bihar with 13 helicopters
It mainly includes JDU, BJP, LJP (RA), RJD, HAM and Congress. There is a plan by the leaders of the left parties to campaign by road only. It is being told that this time the election campaign will be conducted in the state with 13 helicopters. This will include eight helicopters of BJP, two each of JDU and RJD and one helicopter of Congress. RJD and JDU have booked it from Patna, while the Central Campaign Committee of BJP and Congress have taken it on rent. RJD’s first helicopter reached Patna on Thursday. It has been parked in the special parking area made for parking helicopters near the Flying Club.
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At least Rs 19 lakh will have to be paid every day
RJD’s helicopter that reached Patna is Bell 4 to 9, which is manufactured by Span Air Company. This is a double engine helicopter. Apart from the pilot, five people can sit in it. If sources at Patna Airport are to be believed, RJD has taken it on rent for the entire elections. For this, he will have to pay the rate of Rs 5.5 lakh per hour of flight to the helicopter rental company. Also, as per the stipulated terms of the contract, minimum 3.5 hours flight duration will have to be paid every day. Thus, at least Rs 19.25 lakh will have to be paid for this every day.
Agosta 109 will reach the meeting place quickly
The second helicopter booked by RJD is Agosta 109. Made by Agosta Company, one of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturing companies, this model has a double engine and can seat five people apart from the pilot. Helicopters of JDU, Congress and BJP will also start reaching Patna after Holi and with the start of election campaign for the first phase of voting, all these 13 helicopters will be seen standing in a line in the parking lot of Patna Airport to fly. Most of these helicopters will be five seater, some with double engines as well as single engines.
JDU booked one helicopter, preparing to book another one
According to sources, JDU has currently booked a five-seater helicopter on rent for the Lok Sabha election campaign in the state. Along with this, the party has prepared a plan to book another helicopter. Out of these, one helicopter will be kept reserved for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Through these helicopters, star campaigners and big leaders of the party including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will reach the Lok Sabha constituencies for campaigning. In the last Lok Sabha elections also, the party had booked two helicopters.
Will be able to address multiple meetings on the same day
According to sources, JDU will field its candidates on 16 Lok Sabha seats. Elections for many of these seats are to be held on the same day. For example, all five seats in the second phase of the NDA alliance are in JDU’s share. Voting on these will be held on 26 April. In such a situation, better transportation facilities are necessary for speedy election campaign in rallies in all these Lok Sabha constituencies every day. Provision of helicopter for this will facilitate the movement of party leaders for campaigning.
BJP’s central organization will book the helicopter
Party sources say that only the central organization of BJP will book the helicopter to be used for election campaign in the state. As many helicopters will be made available as required for the campaign. At present, BJP is also fielding its candidates on 17 seats in the state. In such a situation, helicopters are needed for party leaders to reach the rallies in Lok Sabha constituencies and campaign quickly.
RJD hired helicopter for election campaign for two months
RJD has taken a helicopter on rent for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. In fact, RJD has made preparations on a war footing for the election campaign of its leader Tejashwi Yadav. Under this, RJD has arranged for two helicopters to reach the rallies on time. Of these, one helicopter will be used daily for election campaigning. The second helicopter will remain in reserve. It will be used in a particular situation. According to official party sources, the helicopter has been arranged for about two months. Route charts and time tables are being prepared for the rallies of Tejashwi Yadav and some star campaigners along with him.
Congress will also use helicopter as per need
Sources say that Congress leaders and star campaigners of the elections will use helicopters as per requirement in different phases. For this, there is a plan to make arrangements for helicopters at the level of the central organization.