2 Kings 2:10
KJV - 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
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"God and God alone grants it only when and to whom he pleases." --Benson Commentary
I'd say that it was because the fulfillment of Elisha's request was ultimately not within Elijah's power or authority to grant. Therefore, Elijah attached a condition, the fulfillment of which would depend upon God (both regarding the manner in which Elijah would be taken, and what Elisha's position at that time would be).
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