Air India ‘slapgate’ controversy over? R Gaikwad celebrates Gudi Padwa with pomp

In the midst of a raging controversy over assaulting an AI staffer, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad celebrated Gudi Padwa with great pomp and show.

Mumbai, March 28: On the occasion of Gudi Padwa on Tuesday, Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Ravindra Gaikwad hosted a massive celebration in his native town Umarga in Maharashtra. On Tuesday, the nation celebrated the New Year. In Maharashtra, the New Year is marked as Gudi Padwa.

"Maharashtra: #GudiPadwa2017 celebrations outside Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad's residence in Umarga," tweeted news agency ANI.

The celebrations at Gaikwad's residence came days after he was accused of assaulting and slapping an Air India staff member. After the incident, almost all the major airline carriers in India barred the Osmanabad MP from flying.

Thus he had to board a train from Delhi to Mumbai recently after two major airlines cancelled his booking. Meanwhile, Gaikwad's party -- the Shiv Sena -- is firmly backing their man and saying that the airlines can't ban a person from boarding their flights.

Although two FIRs have been registered against Gaikwad, he is still a free man. Moreover, Gaikwad is adamant on suing the Air India as he accused the 'victim' of denying him a business class seat in the aircraft.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday called for resolving the issue of Shiv Sena MP Gaikwad's 'flying ban' by several airlines through amicable talks.

"MPs need to attend Parliament and they cannot travel by train always. At times, they need to travel by plane also. I feel that this issue (blanket ban) should be resolved amicably through talks," said Mahajan after a meeting attended by Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Sena MPs.

OneIndia News