Gujarat polls: Denied permission for roadshow, Modi travels in seaplane on last day of campaign
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed that this was the first flight by such a craft in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was denied security clearance for a roadshow in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Monday, travelled in a seaplane from Sabarmati river to Dharoi dam in Mehsana district on Tuesday.
However, according to some reports, Modi might have flouted some guidelines by travelling in the seaplane. The aircraft is a single-engine one, while the prime minister should only travel in a multi-engine aircraft, which is viewed as being the safer option, The Times of India reported.
Single engine plane. Foreign pilots. Is there any security guideline that will not be thrown out today? https://t.co/F63eGatD0n
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 12, 2017
At a poll rally on Monday, Modi had said, “Tomorrow, for the first time in the history of the country, a seaplane will land on the Sabarmati river.” He added, “We cannot have airports everywhere, so our government has planned to have these seaplanes.”
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani claimed this is the first such exercise in the country, PTI reported. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel in the plane from here to Dharoi...He will visit Ambaji temple and come back from Dharoi to Sabarmati in the same plane,” Rupani said.
Tomorrow at 9:30 AM I will travel from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam via sea plane. After that will offer prayers to Maa Amba at Ambaji. With air, roads & rail connectivity, our Government is making efforts for harnessing waterways. All this is for 125 crore Indians!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2017
#WATCH: #Visuals of sea plane Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling in, from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam shortly #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/C8mqgzm1LA
— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to begin his travel via sea plane from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam pic.twitter.com/kOVWEFOyoH
— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017
The Ahmedabad Police had on Monday denied permission to both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress for Modi and Rahul Gandhi’s roadshows in the city to maintain law and order and to avoid inconveniencing the public.
Tuesday is the last day of campaigning for the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections. The first phase of voting was held in Gujarat on Saturday, December 9, with a voter turnout of 68% in 89 constituencies. The remaining 93 constituencies will vote on December 14. The results will be declared on December 18.