Shiv Sena observes bandh against flying ban on MP Ravindra Gaikwad

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has turned aggressive in terms of demanding that airlines allow Sena Member of Parliament (MP) Ravindra Gaikwad, who made news for allegedly assaulting an Air India staffer, to fly. While the Sena raised the issue in Lok Sabha on Monday, the bandh called by the party in Osmanabad over the issue was seen mostly in areas where Gaikwad has an influence. Osmanabad is Gaikwad’s Lok Sabha constituency.

Shiv Sena Osmanabad district vice-president, Kamlakar Chavan, said, “We had called for the Osmanabad bandh to protest the humiliation of our leader by the airlines who have denied him flying rights and the people have supported us for the same. One should also consider the statement of the air hostess who has given her statement and that shows Gaikwad is not at fault.” 

Gaikwad had on Thursday allegedly abused and assaulted a 60-year-old duty manager of Air India, R. Sukumar, with his sandals for not being able to fly business class despite having boarded an all-economy Pune-New Delhi flight.