Sena wants Gaikwad flight ban reversed
NEW DELHI: The Shiv Sena on Monday demanded lifting of a flying ban on its lawmaker Ravindra Gaikwad, accused of assaulting an Air India staffer, but the government said airlines had the right to refuse a passenger. MPs of the Sena, an ally of the ruling BJP at the Centre and Maharashtra, created uproar in Lok Sabha.
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.