Shiv Sena trying to cover up Gaikwad issue by blackmailing ministers: JD (U)

Lashing out at the Shiv Sena for threatening to boycott the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting if the ban on its party lawmaker Ravindra Gaikwad is not lifted, the Janta Dal (United) on Friday said the former is trying to cover up the issue by blackmailing ministers.

"Shiv Sena is currently trying to cover up the issue by blackmailing ministers for which they are good at. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi should look into this matter and take it seriously. I want him to take some action against this issue," Ajay Alok told ANI.

He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should look into this matter and take action against the ministers.

"The step that Shiv Sena has taken is disappointing; being in power does not give them the right to do what you want. The youth is watching and this is a bad example or message to them. If Shiv Sena thinks whatever they do, the party and country will stand by them then it's totally wrong," he added.

Echoing similar views, JD(U) leader K. C. Tyagi also stated that NDA should not be silent about the whole issue rather should take an action soon.

"All that has happened in the past two weeks, I'm surprised to know how NDA can be so quite about the issue. As Shiv Sena has taken law in their hands, we need to stop and show them that they are people above them too, who can take control," Tyagi told ANI.

Earlier in the day, hours after Gaikwad wrote an apology letter to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju requesting to lift the travel ban imposed on him, the ministry said the letter of the Shiv Sena MP is being examined.

Upping the ante against the government, the BJP's alliance partner yesterday threatened to boycott the meeting convened by the NDA if the ban on Gaikwad is not lifted by April 10.

"If this issue is not resolved by April 10, we will not attend the NDA meeting," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said in a press conference.

Lashing out at Air India Raut said that the national carrier is people's servant, adding that it has no right to insult a person on social media.

"What is Air India? Who is CMD? What is their status and where do they even stand? How can they even insult an MP so openly on social media? Who has given them this right? It is peoples' servant, India's servant. If you expect us to learn to behave properly, then first you learn the same," Raut said.

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 the Parliament but will not apologise to the airline staffer..