Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s statement in the past that he was supposed to travel along with former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in the ill-fated helicopter on September 2, 2009, but had dropped out later, has now become a weapon for YSR Congress party.

YSR Congress party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s sister Sharmila has been attacking Kiran based on his statement and alleging that Kiran was aware of the helicopter crash well in advance and had a hand in the sabotage. This has become a major embarrassment of Kiran during the by-elections.

On Saturday, Kiran tried to put the records straight. He said in Kadapa that it was correct that he had to travel along with YSR on the fateful day, but had stayed back because he was to appoint the standing committees of the assembly, including Public Accounts Committee on that day.

“Had I known that the chopper would meet with the accident, I would have prevented YSR from travelling on that day,” he said.