Mumbai, Tuesday 08 December 2009: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today sought to nip in the bud a possible controversy when he made it clear that he did not force the helicopter pilot to land in zero visibility conditions in Sitapur last evening.

“I am a pilot and I am absolutely aware of the dangers of flying in low visibility conditions. I will be the last person to do it,” he told a press conference, dismissing UPCC President Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s comments that he had forced the pilot to land in bad conditions.

“The PCC President is not a pilot. I have not put any pressure on the pilot. The pilot called me aside this morning and told me that the media was creating a controversy and putting my job in trouble. He has not broken any rule. You are making a story and destroying their career. This is not fair,” he said.

To questions on Joshi’s remarks, Rahul Gandhi said that she is not a pilot and she is also not a weather expert. There was plenty of visibility when the helicopter landed, he said.

Ms. Joshi had earlier said the AICC General Secretary had asked the pilot of the helicopter to land in “zero visibility” just to fulfill his commitment of meeting people.

Gandhi said it was not fair to state that the helicopter landed in zero visibility and he would be absolutely the last person who will do that.
“Absolutely not. You can also ask the Special Protection Group (SPG) if I have broken any rules or procedures,” he said, adding that one should check up with the SPG director that on every occasion he has taken permission and done things.

(PTI)