Guwahati  : An Indian Air Force helicopter pilot on Tuesday refused to ferry Congress leader Rahul Gandhi back to Guwahati citing bad weather.

The pilot stood his ground despite intervention from defence minister A K Antony’s request.

The pilot had taken  Rahul Gandhi to riot-hit Bodoland areas of lower Assam from Guwahati airport on Tuesday.

“Guwahati ATC had cleared its flight but the IAF had a bad weather report,” a source said.

The chopper carried Rahul Gandhi  to Kokrajhar from Dhubri, from where he returned to Guwahati by road.

Assam Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who accompanied Rahul by the same chopper,  returned by train. The IAF refused to reveal the name of its pilot.

“The IAF earlier rejected Salakati helipad for the chopper’s landing in Kokrajhar saying it was unsafe.
“A new helipad was built overnight at nearby Bongaigaon stadium.
“The IAF again refused to land at Bongaigaon and took the chopper to Kokrajhar at 2.45 pm.

“The weather over Kokrajhar was alright but the pilot said that weather over Guwahati wasn’t suitable for flying.

“At 5.30 pm, Rahul returned to Guwahati by road,”