I thought it was all over: Rahul Gandhi on mid-air scare

Seeks leave to go to Kailash Mansarovar after the polls

April 29, 2018 10:58 pm | Updated December 01, 2021 12:10 pm IST - NEW DELHI

Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Days after a mid-air scare while heading for the Karnataka election campaign, Congress president Rahul Gandhi spoke about it at the party rally here on Sunday for the first time, saying he had thought it was all over as his aircraft dipped 8,000 feet.

The Congress chief said the experience made him realise that he had long wanted to go on a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, and sought from his party workers leave for 10 to 15 days to do it.

 

“A few days ago, we were on our way to Karnataka on an aircraft. And the aircraft suddenly came down by 8,000 feet. I thought gaadi gayi [that it was all over]. At that moment, it struck my mind that I have to go to Kailash Mansarovar. So, I would require your leave for 10 to 15 days after the Karnataka Assembly polls,” said Mr. Gandhi, who says he is an ardent devotee of Shiva.

The yatra to Mount Kailash, considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva, is undertaken between June and September and involves an arduous trek through the Tibet region and China.

Mr. Gandhi had finished his speech at the Jan Aakrosh rally here and the vote of thanks was being delivered by P.C. Chacko when he came to seek “permission for the yatra from his Congress family”.

On April 26, Mr. Gandhi’s chartered plane, a 10-seater Falcon 2000, developed a technical snag and tilted heavily to the left before reaching the Hubbali airport.

Mr. Gandhi’s aide, Kaushal Vidyarthee, had written to Director-General of Police, Karnataka, Neelmani N. Raju asking for an inquiry into the snag. In his letter, Mr. Vidyarthee mentioned that the plane lost altitude with violent shuddering around 10.45 a.m. The aircraft could land only in its third attempt.

The DGCA has set up a two-member probe panel and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has assured appropriate action.

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