BJP MP accuses private airline of dishonouring booking

A Bharatiya Janata Party MP on Wednesday accused private airlines of bullying passengers, saying that last week an airline declined to honour the ticket he had booked a month ago, forcing him to travel by a train.

The issue was raised by BJP member Devji Patel from Rajasthan's Jalore during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha.

"I had booked a ticket with Jet Airways more than a month ago but when I reached the airport on last Friday after the house was adjourned, I was informed by one of the officials that my ticket has been cancelled and allotted to some other passenger," Patel said.

The BJP leader said that finally he booked a train ticket to travel.

Patel said that a similar incident happened with him when he was to travel by an Air India flight four years ago.

"I am still fighting a case," he said while sharing the experiences of some fellow parliamentarians and others.

"Private airlines are bullying their passengers and even we are victim of it. It always happens with MPs. This must be stopped," he said.

Patel was supported by over a dozen BJP members.

Patel has also written a letter to Privilege Committee Chairman Meenakshi Lekhi demanding a probe into the matter and action against the responsible authority of the airlines.

The incident happened amid the controversy surrounding Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who has been barred by all airlines in India from flying aboard their planes.

--IANS

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