TPCC chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah fumes at helicopter pilot who refused to fly him to Warangal

The incident happened after actor-turned-politician Vijayashanti and Mr Lakshamaiah winded up their election campaign in Maddur mandal in Jangaon. Both the leaders arrived in a helicopter to address an election meeting in Maddur mandal in Jangaon, the first of the three meetings by the three star campaigner, which was chalked out by Mr Lakshmaiah to woo voters in his constituency.

Two other celebrity actor-turned-politicians – Jayasudha and Jayapradha are also supposed to fly to Jangaon on April 24 and April 28 respectively.

Sources said immediately after the meeting, Mr Lakshamaiah wanted the pilot to take him to Warangal city in order to inspect arrangements being made at Madikonda for the visiting AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is expected to address an election meeting on April 24.

However, the pilot refused to fly the helicopter from Maddur to Warangal as it was not in original tour schedule, infuriating Mr Lakshmaiah, who pulled up the pilot but to no avail.

Left with no choice, he was forced to take to the road and travelled in a car to reach Warangal city. It is significant to note that Mr Lakshamaiah had to use a chopper to discharge the dual responsibilities as the TPCC chief and as a contesting candidate in Jangaon, where he is facing anti-incumbency.