Will visit Kailash Mansarovar after Karnataka assembly polls, says Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi : Following a mid-air scare while flying to poll-bound Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday made public his intention to go on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet once the votes had been cast.

He recalled that while on board a plane bound for Karnataka, the aircraft nosedived and the thought of visiting the abode of Lord Shiva flashed through his mind.

"I want to take your (workers') permission. Two-three days back, we were going to Karnataka. Suddenly, our aircraft took a nosedive -- it went down about 8,000 feet.

"I was in the aircraft... I thought it was the end. Then, a second thought came to my mind -- I want to visit Kailash.

"I want to go to Kailash Mansarovar. So, I would seek 10-15 days of leave from you after the Karnataka elections so that I can go there and come back," he added.

The Congress had complained to the Karnataka Police on Thursday that the aircraft carrying Rahul Gandhi from Delhi to Hubli earlier in the day suffered "unexplained technical snags" mid-air.