Ravindra Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena parliamentarian who has been banned by airlines after he thrashed an Air India manager last month, has provided a letter in which he "regrets" the incident - he was clearly told this was a pre-requisite for him to fly again. The letter is addressed to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and claims the restriction on flying is preventing the "effective discharge of my duties and responsibilities." The MP said earlier today in parliament that he will not apologize to the airline employee he beat up, a stand wholly endorsed by his party.
This afternoon, the government indicated that it would intervene to end the ban as a denouement for the ugly drama that Mr Gaikwad has fronted; however, there would be no attempt to interfere with two criminal cases filed by Air India against the politician, said sources.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan then met with all Sena MPs, the Civil Aviation Minister and Home Minister Rajnath Singh to seek a compromise. She later told reporters that MPs cannot always travel by road or train to attend parliament, and suggested a solution was being worked out.
Here's the letter by Ravindra Gaikwad to Aviation Minister:
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