Eknath Shinde Stuck At Airport After Pilot Refuses To Fly, Later Agrees; Dy CM Also Airliftes A Kidney Patient

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde found himself in a predicament at Jalgaon airport. After visiting the Sant Muktai temple, his pilot refused to fly him back to Mumbai. The pilot cited health issues and the end of his working hours as reasons for not flying. This left Shinde stranded for about an hour.

Shinde had been in Jalgaon to participate in the 'Palkhi Yatra' of Sant Muktai in Muktainagar. He was scheduled to arrive by 3:45 PM but reached two-and-a-half hours late due to technical delays. Accompanied by ministers Girish Mahajan and Gulabrao Patil, he travelled by road to Muktainagar.

Pilot's Reluctance and Resolution

Upon reaching Jalgaon airport at 9:15 PM, Shinde faced a challenge as the pilot refused to fly back. Despite attempts by officials and ministers to persuade him, it took around 45 minutes before the pilot agreed to fly. The delay was eventually resolved, allowing Shinde to proceed with his journey.

In a notable act of kindness, Shinde airlifted a kidney patient and her husband who had missed their flight to Mumbai. The patient needed surgery in Mumbai, and Mahajan informed Shinde about their plight. Shinde offered them a ride on his flight, ensuring they reached their destination in time.

Shiv Sena's Praise for Shinde

The Shiv Sena praised Shinde's dedication on social media, highlighting his commitment to helping others. "Dedicated to the common man! Shiv Sena chief leader and Deputy Chief Minister Hon'ble Shri Eknathji Shinde Saheb came to Muktainagar on Friday to attend the Sant Muktabai Palkhi Prasthan ceremony," read their post on X.

The party further noted that upon reaching Mumbai, Shinde arranged an ambulance for the patient and ensured she was admitted to the hospital. They shared that he showed genuine concern during the journey and received gratitude from the patient for his assistance.