Politicians think they are a privileged group and can get away with any kind of indiscipline. Telugu Desam MP Diwakar Reddy made a nuisance of himself at Vishakapatnam airport when he was stopped from boarding a plane for being late. Union Civil Aviation Minister and Reddy’s party colleague, Ashok Gajapathi Raju was on the scene and muscled in to allow Reddy to take the flight thereby delaying it. Reddy had also issued a stream of foul language. It is imperative that an inquiry be made into the incident. No politician is entitled to preferential treatment. Of course, Reddy is not the only offender. Shiv Sena MP Ravinder Gaikwad had indulged in similar rowdyism and assaulted Air India staff earlier this year. Reddy himself had acted in an objectionable manner earlier damaging the Air India office at Vijaywada airport. One also recalls the drunken behaviour of a Congress Minister on a plane years ago but in that case he had to be dismissed. These political leaders forget they are public servants and behave as if they are above the norms of decent behaviour. They are given huge perks and other benefits for little reason and also allowed freedom to eschew elementary courtesy.
Low cost airlines are expanding but the conduct of some politicians can only impair the growth of the industry. The Gaikwad incident had forced the civil aviation ministry to frame rules for a no-fly list to deal with unruly passengers and ensure the hassle-free travel of other passengers. One wonders if the Telugu Desam connection between Reddy and Raju will allow the former to get off scot-free. If that be the case, how different is the NDA Government from their predecessor and is Modi’s call for ending VIP racism an empty rhetoric?