Kochi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who wanted to visit Vandiperiyar where 102 Sabarimala piligrims were killed on Friday night, was unable do so as his helicopter could not land there today owing to bad weather.
Gandhi had left by helicopter from Alappuzha to Vandiperiyar in Idduki district, early today, but the aircraft could not land there due to poor visibility, police and party officials said.
KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala told a news agency that poor visibility and rain forced the chopper to turn back. The Congress general secreatry later left for Delhi from here.
Gandhi was in Kerala to attend yesterday's marriage reception of his friend Amithabh, son of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation vice-president Suman Dubey.
In the worst disaster to hit Sabarimala pilgrims, 102 devotees were killed and 5 injured in a stampede at Pullumedu near the famous hill-top shrine.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, January 16, 2011, 11:32