NEW DELHI: Even though
Shiv Sena MP
Ravindra Gaikwad, accused of assaulting an
Air India crew member, insisted today he did nothing wrong, and even though
his senior colleague batted for him , the Union aviation minister indicated that he is in favour of the domestic airlines' ban on the "misbehaving MP."
"Aircraft are machines where people fly and safety will not be compromised," Asok Gajapati Raju said.
On his part, Gaikwad remained unrepentant, although he did apologize to
Parliament
.
"I apologise to Parliament if I've caused any hurt, but not to the Air India official," Gaikwad said.
On March 23, the
Shiv Sena MP beat up an airline staffer with his slippers "25 times" for being given an economy class seat in a flight that did not have business class.
Following the incident, all airlines jointly
barred Gaikwad from flying .
"I am grateful that you have allowed me to speak inside the House. The AI staff abused me and pulled me by my collar. The AI staff who misbehaved with me is roaming scot-free. But here I am with curbs from all airlines," he said to the House.
In his first statement in Parliament after the incident, Gaikwad said, "What wrong have I done that there is a trial against me in media without a through probe?"
"I have been charged under IPC 308, which is for 'attempt to murder'. Was I holding any weapon?.. Is this justice," he added.
About subsequent incidents of Gaikwad's trying to
book air tickers in somebody else's name , the Sena MP said he had nothing to do with those attempts.
"Some other person has been trying to book tickets in my name,"Gaikwad said.
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