Lok Sabha elections 2024: Storm compels Amit Shah, CM Eknath Shinde to hit the road

The helicopter in which Amit Shah landed in Vasai on Monday

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who had arrived in Vasai to address an election rally in separate choppers on Monday, had to return to Mumbai by road amidst heavy security arrangements because the helicopters could not fly them back due to sudden dust storm in the city.

The political heavyweights had gathered to garner support for BJP candidate Hemant Savara, who is contesting the Lok Sabha poll from Palghar. After the rally ended, Shah and Shinde left the ground to go to Mumbai by road. Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police officials had cleared the stretch for sudden VIP movement. "Our team of officers took all precautionary measures to ensure a smooth journey for the VIPs who reached Mumbai by road as the weather conditions were not favourable to go by helicopter," Pournima Chougule-Shringi, zonal deputy commissioner of police, told mid-day at the rally ground.

The campaign rally of Hemant Savara in Palghar. Pics/Hanif Patel

After arriving in Mumbai, Shah is expected to fly to Varanasi, said a source in his party. A large tent was erected at Suncity ground in Vasai where two helipads were constructed under the supervision of PWD staff. "One helipad had been constructed for the safe landing of the helicopter in which Shah arrived," a senior PWD officer told mid-day. "We had been given information that Shah's PR team would also arrive via helicopter; so, another helipad was constructed adjacent to it," said the PWD officer.

Shinde, who also arrived in a helicopter at a different location in Vasai, entered the rally ground along with Shah at 4 pm. Weather conditions had changed while Shah was addressing the rally at the Suncity ground in Vasai. Though the roads were cleared for the VIPs to travel to Mumbai, the Mumbai-based PR team got stuck in Vasai for a while, but soon, the chopper started and took them to Mumbai.