Thursday, November 3 2005 20:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: Firebrand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharati had a narrow escape today (Nov 3, 2005) as her helicopter developed a technical snag in Chitrakoot when it was taking off for the state capital.

The six-seater chopper, owned by the Madhya Pradesh Government, developed a fault in its lone engine at around 4 PM, sources said.

It shook vigorously following which the pilot decided to land, they said. Bharati and all five other people were safe.

Bharti was travelling from Ayodhya to Bhopal and had stopped in Chitrakoot for refuelling, they said.

As per the annual practice, she had gone to Ayodhya to celebrate 'vijay dhooj' festival.

She had been provided with the helicopter by MP Chief Minister Babulal Gaur so that she could return to Bhopal by the evening to attend a programme where BJP President L K Advani was to be present.