Akhilesh Yadav wants what Mayawati has: The right to drive up to aircraft

If allowed,Akhilesh would become only the second CM to be granted this privilege. Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa is allowed vehicular access on security grounds.

Mayawati is allowed to take her car right up to aircraft along with an armed escort. On January 23,2013,The Indian Express had reported how Mayawati’s entitlements were finalised on a day of bargaining that saw three amendments to the Civil Aviation Ministrys order before she was satisfied.

The first order allowed Mayawati to drive up to aircraft with a personal security officer. The second order added the phrase for one year,upsetting the BSP. In the third directive,the phrase for one year was replaced with until further orders.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior BJP leader L K Advani are also permitted access to tarmac with an armed escort. The list further includes SPG protectees,the president,the prime minister,former presidents,former PMs,the Dalai Lama,foreign heads of state visiting India,former civil aviation ministers currently holding another Cabinet portfolio etc.

State governors and CMs can also drive up to the aircraft but only at airports within their respective states.

Congress leader Dr Karan Singh has been allowed access to tarmac but on health grounds. Others like Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal and DMK leader M Karunanidhi are ferried to the aircraft on health/security grounds.