Security lapse: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s chopper lands at wrong helipad

LINGASUGUR (RAICHUR): The helicopter carrying chief minister Siddaramaiah landed at a different location from the scheduled helipad in Lingasugur town Sunday, leading to confusion and much embarrassment.

Instead of landing at a specially constructed helipad at Srinivas Layout on Raichur Road, the CM’s chopper landed at the helipad designated for BJP MLA Manappa Vajjal on Kalaburagi Road.


Only two police sub-inspectors were present at the time of CM’s landing since district administration officials, legislators and police were awaiting his arrival at the designated helipad. They were perplexed when a helicopter carrying public works minister Satish Jarkiholi arrived instead of the CM. After learning that the CM had landed elsewhere, they rushed to meet him.

Since a helicopter carrying deputy CM DK Shivakumar was scheduled to land at the designated helipad a few minutes after Siddaramaiah’s, it sparked speculation that the CM himself had suggested landing at a different location. However, police sources said the confusion is being treated as a security lapse, and an investigation will be conducted.

CM flays Centre
Earlier in Dharwad, Siddaramaiah lashed out at the Centre over delays in approving major irrigation projects in the state and accused Karnataka BJP functionaries of misleading people by suggesting that his govt was to blame.

In a scathing attack on BJP during an event to lay the foundation stone for Bennihalla flood control project and other infrastructure development work in Shiraguppi, Hubballi district, Siddaramaiah said the BJP-led NDA govt had not accorded clearance for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project and it had not issued a gazette notification for implementation of Upper Krishna Project-Phase 3. He insisted the state is ready to start work on both projects if the Centre clears them.

Attacking Pralhad Joshi, Siddaramaiah said the Union minister was misleading people by saying the state was responsible for work delays. “Instead of accusing us, he should ensure the Centre provides necessary clearance and funding,” Siddaramaiah said.