Hyderabad: TRS leaders created a flutter by using a set of private aircraft to shower petals to celebrate the 40th birthday of minister K.T. Rama Rao on Sunday.

TRS leader from Qutbullahpur K.M. Pratap hired three aircraft for the purpose. While one was used in the city to shower petals and pamphlets praising Mr Rama Rao, the other two were used in districts for aerial seeding as part of Haritha Haram.

This show of enthusiasm is learnt to have attracted the ire of Mr Rao, due to which the flights were grounded within 20 minutes.

Mr Rao had on Saturday asked party leaders and activists not to put up hoardings, flexies or take up any other activities to celebrate his birthday on a grand scale.

When contacted, Mr Pratap, said, “I hired three aircraft from a Bengaluru-based aviation firm. One was used to shower flower petals and brochures in the twin cities. We had obtained permission from Air Traffic Control for this.”

Mr Pratap refused to reveal how much he had spent to hire these aircraft, but sources said each flight would cost around Rs 1 lakh.

While the aircraft that was used in the city flew over the TRS Bhavan, Tank Bund, the other two aircraft were used for aerial seeding in Nizamabad, Adilabad, Warangal, Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts.

When contacted, Surender Toppo, deputy director, DGCA, said, “The permissions will be given by DGCA head office in Delhi. We are not aware of this.”