Gaikwad-AI staff row can't be solved in Parliament: Sumitra Mahajan

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday said the matter cannot be solved in the Parliament, adding that both Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad and the Air India must sit together and come out with a solution.

"Getting angry is normal so I had to adjourn the House. This matter cannot be solved in the session. Both the sides have to sit and talk and come up with a solution," Mahajan told the media here.

She added that Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said the ban happened according to law which is same for all.

"So, everybody was a bit angry with this because everybody thought he would say something that the matter will be considered," she said.

The Shiv Sena MPs earlier in the day surrounded Raju over the flying ban on Gaikwad and threatened that unless it is lifted they "won't allow the airlines to fly from Mumbai".

The incident happened after the Lok Sabha was adjourned by Mahajan till 12.45 p.m. over the Shiv Sena protest.

Earlier, Shiv Sena MPs were agitated over a statement of the Civil Aviation Minister, who reiterated that the ban was not aimed at a Member of Parliament, but for a passenger and safety was most important in flights.

This led to a protest by Shiv Sena members, and the House was adjourned.

Gaikwad, who was banned from flying after he assaulted an Air India staff, said that he had been provoked and alleged that the airlines staff misbehaved with him.

Speaking on the issue during Zero Hour Gaikwad demanded that the flying ban on him be lifted.

He got support from other opposition parties. The Shiv Sena MP also said that he can apologise to Parliament but will not apologise to the airline staffer.