Jaipur, Sep 9 (IANS): Soon after the Union Home Ministry on Saturday refuted claim of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot that his helicopter was denied permission, he posted on X that the permission to fly to Sikar was delayed citing G20 protocol.

In the post, Gehlot said: "Yesterday, I had a plan to go from Udaipur to Jaipur, Sikar and Niwai by helicopter. For this, the helicopter had to reach Jaipur from Udaipur in advance, but it was said that due to the protocol of G-20, the helicopter or plane can travel only when the CM himself is on board."

"Permission to fly the helicopter was sought through e-mail at 10.48 a.m. but permission was not received till 2.50 p.m.. To give information to the public waiting there, I tweeted at 2.52 p.m. and explained the reason for not being able to come and also called Shri Om Das Maharaj at Sangliya Peeth and informed him. After this, permission came at 3.58 p.m. but by then, I had left from Udaipur for Jaipur by plane and after reaching there, went to Niwai by road. I did not want to create any controversy in the name of G20, hence did not condemn it and only informed the public about the facts. But now I am sad that the Home Ministry has made an unsuccessful attempt to spread confusion among the public by giving wrong information," he said.

Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, MHA had said, "In a news report, Rajasthan Chief Minister has claimed denial of approval for his helicopter flight by the MHA. Four requests were received from CM Rajasthan for flight permissions, including for Sikar, and all were approved by the MHA."

"No request from CM Rajasthan has been denied. While all scheduled flights of commercial Aircrafts and movement of Governors and State Chief Ministers on their State aircrafts are allowed, private chartered flights require specific MHA approval," it added. '