Political Diary

The chief minister’s chopper has been missing since 9.35am. ( Watch Video )

Andhra Pradesh finance minister A Rosaiah, during a press conference, said no contact has been established with the chief minister’s chopper. Search and rescue operations are still on, he said. The state is coordinating with central agencies in Delhi to locate the CM’s chopper. The PM’s office is also in touch with the state government. Several helicopters- Indian Air Force, state govt and private helicopters, are involved in search operations, he added.

The state govt’s spokesperson added, "It is possible that because of the strong winds and heavy rains, it is possible it may have landed in some unfamiliar area. If you land in an unfamiliar forest area, getting out will be very difficult."

The state government has appealed to people for help and asked them to get in touch with the nearest police station if they have any information.

Just a short while ago (3.10pm), Karnool SP B L Meena, had, however, told The Times of India that the chief minister’s chopper had been located and a police team was going to escort him back to Hyderabad. The chopper had landed in Pamalupudu village in Karnool district, the SP said.

After the Andhra government’s press conference, TOI tried to contact the Karnool SP, but in vain.

Minister for civil aviation Praful Patel had also said Reddy’s helicopter had been located.

The CM left Hyderabad on a chopper at 8.35am this morning for Chittoor accompanied by his secretary and chief security officer but after 9.35am radio contact was lost with the government helicopter. This was when the chopper entered the thickly forested, Naxalite-infested Nallamalla hill range where it was raining heavily and visibility was extremely poor. The chief minister is on the hit-list of the Naxalites.