Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad was barred from all airlines after assaulting an Air India employee
Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad is finding it tough to get a flight out of town.
After he assaulted an Air India duty manager yesterday and displayed singular lack of remorse by bragging about it, an association of airlines has barred him. Air India cancelled the MP's return ticket from Delhi to Pune and so has private carrier Indigo.
The Shiv Sena MP, angry at having to fly economy on the flight from Pune to Delhi, refused to leave the aircraft yesterday. The airlines explained the flight had only economy seats. But that didn't mollify the lawmaker. Duty manager Sukumar Raman tried to persuade him to leave but ended up being thrashed. "I hit him 25 times," the MP boasted later. Today, he announced that he had the evening flight back to Pune, "try and stop me". Challenge accepted, say airlines, and the MP is yet to get a flight back.
While Mr Gaikwad figures out how to return home, Twitter, always helpful, had some suggestions: This person proposed a
padyatra from Delhi to Pune.
If not 'in' the plane, then...
He can try the good 'ol Indian Railways
Someone proposed an unorthodox method to travel
This person had a business idea for the lawmaker
Someone asked Twitter for help
The airlines say they won't relent on the ban without an unconditional apology from the lawmaker. Maybe that's his ticket out of Delhi, as suggested by Twitter.