New Delhi: Union Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has made his first comments regarding the deplaning controversy involving Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. While being questioned about the incident by the media on Tuesday, Scindia responded by saying that it took place on international land and that the facts needed to be confirmed, reported news agency ANI.
He added that the Aviation Ministry will look into the request made to him, but that it would depend on the information provided by Lufthansa, the German airline that is said to have taken CM Mann off the plane at Frankfurt.
"This was int'l soil. We'll have to make sure we verify facts. Up to Lufthansa to provide data. I'll certainly, based on request sent to me, look into it," said Jyotiraditya Scindia, Aviation Minister of India.
Former Chief Minister Of Punjab and President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sukhbir Singh Badal told ABP News that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was deplaned because he consumed alcohol in the main lounge of the airport and thus, the captain decided to take him off the flight.
Taking a dig at the Punjab CM, he said, "The man who swore a lie to his mother. Went to thakht Shri Damdama Sahib after drinking alcohol.. who will believe him.. AAP's people need to take alcohol test not floor test..," reports ABP Correspondent Jagwinder Patiyal.
Bhagwant Mann Flight Deplaning Row
Earlier, Lufthansa, the German airline at the centre of the controversy responded to a Twitter user on the incident. The airline has, however, not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
"Our flight from Frankfurt to Delhi departed later than originally planned due to a delayed inbound flight and an aircraft change," responded Lufthansa's to a Twitter post asking the airline to clarify the situation. The airline has not confirmed or denied whether or not CM Bhagwant Mann was involved in the delay.
However, as per a statement made by AAP chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang which was reported by India Today, the party called the allegations "baseless," stating that the Punjab CM returned to New Delhi on time.
"The Chief Minister returned on time. On September 18, he returned to Germany by plane. He had to arrive in New Delhi on September 19th. The allegations made by the opposition are baseless, nonsense, and false propaganda "Kang stated, as reported by India Today.