Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Forced to Cancel Goa Visit Amid Dense Fog Conditions
Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann's planned day-long visit to Goa on Wednesday was abruptly cancelled due to severe weather conditions. The fixed-wing aircraft chartered by the state government was unable to take off from Chandigarh as a thick layer of fog engulfed the region, making flight operations impossible.
Condolences Issued for Ajit Pawar's Tragic Demise
Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mann issued a heartfelt statement expressing his profound condolences on the death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar. The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra perished in a tragic plane crash near Baramati.
"There has been news of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's plane crashing during landing in Maharashtra's Baramati. The images of smoke and destruction are extremely disturbing," Mann posted on social media platform X.
He further added, "In this accident, there has been news of the death of the Deputy Chief Minister as well as others. Our heartfelt condolences to the families. We pray to God to grant the lost souls a place in His feet and to give strength to the families to accept the loss."
According to preliminary information from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft carrying Pawar flew for approximately 35 minutes before crashing. Tragically, none of the five individuals on board survived the accident.
Revised Itinerary: Tribute to Lala Lajpat Rai
Following the cancellation of his Goa trip, sources indicate that Chief Minister Mann proceeded to Dhudike, the native village of freedom fighter and martyr Lala Lajpat Rai. Wednesday marked the birth anniversary of the revolutionary leader, and Mann paid his respects at the memorial site.
Purpose of the Cancelled Goa Visit
Mann had initially planned a significant one-day visit to Goa where he was scheduled to address the public regarding the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana (MMSBY). This flagship health insurance scheme, rolled out by the Punjab government, provides comprehensive healthcare coverage worth Rs 10 lakh to every family in the state.
On Tuesday, Goa AAP president Valmiki Naik had enthusiastically announced the Chief Minister's impending visit. "We look forward to welcoming him!" Naik posted on his X handle. Although the party had not finalized the detailed program, Mann was likely to hold a press conference during his visit.
Political Context: AAP's Goa Strategy
The visit held considerable political importance for the Aam Aadmi Party. Following a disappointing performance in the recent zila parishad elections in Goa, where the party could secure only one out of the approximately 40 seats it contested, the AAP is actively working to strengthen its organizational framework in the coastal state.
Currently, the AAP has two MLAs representing Goa in the legislative assembly. Chief Minister Mann's visit was seen as a strategic move to bolster the party's presence and connect with the local populace, especially in the wake of the electoral setback.
The cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions represents a temporary delay in these political outreach efforts. The party is expected to reschedule the visit once weather conditions improve and logistical arrangements can be reconfirmed.
