KATHMANDU: UML leader and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has canceled his planned helicopter trip to Jhapa 5 after a helicopter carrying Rastriya Swatantra Party senior leader Balendra Shah was diverted back to Kathmandu.
Shah had chartered the helicopter to visit polling centers in Jhapa 5 after voting in Kathmandu. However, concerns raised that the move could influence voters led the Election Commission to instruct the helicopter to return, landing at Tribhuvan International Airport instead of Jhapa.
Following Shah’s diversion, Oli’s team confirmed that his planned helicopter trip would not take place. Officials from the UML had raised concerns with the Election Commission, citing potential voter influence if Shah used helicopters to tour polling centers.
Oli had intended to reach Jhapa 5 on Thursday to oversee election activities. With Shah’s flight canceled, Oli will also travel by conventional means, officials said.
The Election Commission and government authorities, including Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, were informed of the issue before the helicopter was diverted.
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