Sena backs errant MP, calls for one-day bandh
Party MP Adsul wants flying ban on the lawmaker to be lifted; supporters in Osmanabad call for bandh to protest ‘humiliation’
MUMBAI: Even as Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul demanded revocation of ban imposed by different airlines on Shiv Sena’s errant MP Ravindra Gaikwad, supporters of Gaikwad called for a one-day bandh in his constituency Osmanabad to protest against the “humiliation” of the MP by the airlines.
Speaking to HT over phone, Dnyanraj Chougule, MLA from Omerga in Osmanabad district, said that the unanimous call by the airlines to ban Gaikwad was an unfair move.
“Omerga was shut today in support of Ravi Gaikwad, and to protest against the injustice against him at the hands of the airline companies,” Chougule said. The MLA, who was in Omerga, added Shiv Sena supporters also held a motorcycle rally in the district as a show of support for the MP.
Senior Sena leaders stated that the party does not endorse his actions, but no strict action against him is likely. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that airlines should not have banned Gaikwad without carrying out an investigation into the matter.
Sena leaders have decided to stand by the controversial MP. “There is no need for any disciplinary action against him (Gaikwad),” Raut said.
Meanwhile, Adsul, who was not allowed to speak on the issue in the Lok Sabha, said that he discussed the issue with civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju in the Speaker’s chamber.
“Once the House was adjourned, we discussed the issue with the minister. He (Raju) explained that the decision was taken as per the safety standard measures, which are applicable internationally. He also has assured that he will find a way out within the next three to four days,” Adsul told HT.
Adsul is hopeful that his Lok Sabha colleague will soon be removed from the “no-fly” list of the airlines.
“He is an MP and needs to travel back and forth. They have to remove this ban. Such a ban on an MP maligns the image of all parliamentarians. We are ready to face police action on the basis of the FIR. So why ban him from flying,” he added.
Last Saturday, Gaikwad, who took a train to to Maharashtra after he was banned by airlines, was scheduled to meet party chief Uddhav Thackeray, but Thackeray decided against meeting the MP. Following that Gaikwad left for Osmanabad.
Gaikwad’s assault on a 62-year-old Air India ground staffer in Delhi led to a public furore across the nation.
The MP boarded a Pune-Delhi flight last Thursday with a business class ticket, but was peeved as the flight was an all-economy one. After reaching Delhi, Gaikwad refused to deboard and got into a verbal spat with the AI staffer which later spiraled into an assault. The defiant MP maintained that he assaulted the staffer as the latter misbehaved with him.
He is an MP and needs to travel back and forth. Such a ban on an MP maligns the image of all parliamentarians ANANDRAO ADSUL , Shiv Sena MP