Hassan: As Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy did not arrive on time for his chopper ride to Bengaluru from Shravanabelagola, the pilot flew away without HDK. Kumaraswamy was then forced to take a three-hour car journey to reach Bengaluru.

Kumaraswamy was accompanied by his elder brother, HD Revanna, minister for PWD, and minor irrigation minister CS Puttaraju. The pilot waited for 15 minutes after the scheduled time and then took a decision to fly to Bengaluru because it was getting dark.

The flight was scheduled to leave at 5:15 pm. It was booked to take the CM back to Bengaluru after his campaign for JD(S) candidates for the by-election to be conducted on November 3. But Kumaraswamy reached the spot at Shravanabelagola at 5:50 pm, after campaigning for LR Shivaramegowda of JD(S) in Mandya. The distance from Mandya to Shravanabelagola is over 70 km. 

The pilot flew without the CM because he was not permitted to fly the chopper after dusk sets in, due to visibility problems.

Following this, a car was arranged for the CM and the two ministers. They then took a three-hour long car journey to reach Bengaluru. The chopper would have taken 30 minutes to reach Bengaluru.

It is said that Hassan police tried a lot to convince the pilot to wait for the CM’s arrival, but in vain.