Now, TDP vs Shiv Sena over unruly MP: Andhra CM Naidu backs Aviation minister

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the incident in Parliament in which Shiv Sena members surrounded Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju on Thursday.

"It is unfortunate to see some MPs' unruly behaviour towards the Aviation Minister," said Naidu.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President tweeted that he strongly condemns such behaviour.

Ashok Gajapati Raju is a leader of TDP, an ally of the BJP-led NDA government.

Naidu said such behaviour of MPs in Parliament was not good for democracy.

The TDP leader said leaders of all parties should ensure that such an incident was not repeated in the future.

Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, also took to Twitter to say, “Strongly condemn the unparliamentary behaviour of several MPs towards Union Civil Aviation Minister.”

Shiv Sena MPs surrounded Raju on Thursday over the flying ban on party MP Ravindra Gaikwad and threatened that unless it was lifted, they "won't allow the airlines to fly from Mumbai".

The incident happened after the Lok Sabha was adjourned by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan over the Shiv Sena protest.

As soon as Shiv Sena MPs surrounded Raju, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs SS Ahluwalia and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh rushed to shield him.

Raju and Geete were subsequently taken to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's chamber where, sources said, the Speaker discussed the issue with them.

Gaikwad is facing a ban from various airlines from flying after he assaulted an Air India official with his footwear on March 23 after his Pune-Delhi flight landed at the Delhi airport.

An Air India official told IANS that the airline has beefed up security to protect its employees at Mumbai and Pune following an alleged threat by Shiv Sena to disrupt the company's operations if the ban is not revoked.


IANS inputs