PM's seaplane ride violates security protocol, says opposition

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode the seaplane on Tuesday from Sabarmati River to Dharoi Dam during the Gujarat poll campaign, opposition parties questioned if he violated security protocol.

Security protocol says VIPs can fly in two or multi-engine aircrafts, while the Kodiak 1000 the Prime Minister rode from Sardar Bridge was a single-engine machine. The government is also yet to notify rules concerning seaplanes.

The Air Safety Circular 2 of 2014 says the type of aircrafts/helicopters carrying VIPs should comply with Air Safety Circular 2 of 1981 and Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.

The Air Safety Circular 2, 1981, stipulates that a "twin-engine aircraft with good operational capability, reliability and easy maintainability characteristics" should be used to fly VIPs.

Moments after television channels beamed footages of the Prime Minister riding the seaplane, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised questions over the appropriateness of Modi riding the seaplane in the context of the security protocol to be followed.

"How is it that the security guidelines were relaxed for this flight?” Abdullah tweeted. “No Z+ protectee is allowed to fly in a single engine aircraft, much less the PM of our country.”

“Single engine plane. Foreign pilots. Is there any security guideline that will not be thrown out today?" the National Conference leader further asked.

Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi dubbed the seaplane ride a “political distraction” to “skirt important issues of development.”

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said a Prime Minister can use any transport within the framework of rules. “(the seaplane ride) has noting to do with the elections (in Gujarat),” Gadkari said. “If Rahul Gandhi wants, he can use it too. There is no politics in it. In fact, I’m proud the PM took the trial (ride).”

Gadkari also added that the government would come with some more seaplane services in three months.

The BJP’s claims that Modi’s seaplane ride was the first in the country was also rebutted by opponents who pointed out that seaplanes were used earlier in Andaman and Kerala.

Highlights:

*PM rode the plane from Sardar Bridge in Sabarmati River to Dharoi Dam

*Air Safety Circular 2 of 2014 has been followed in flying VIPs

*The circular refers to rules in Air Safety Circular 2 of 1981 and Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines.