BJP MP’s hopes of representing India at the UN suffered a rude setback, when the Emirates refused to fly him to New York.
NEW DELHI: BJP MP Lakshman Singh’s hopes of representing the country at the UN General Assembly suffered a rude setback, when the Emirates Airlines refused to fly him to New York.
Emirates stated non-clearance from the FBI as the reason for grounding Singh, who in turn has blamed the Congress for the roadblock.
Singh and his wife Rubina were to travel to New York by an early morning flight on Sunday, but on reaching the Indira Gandhi International Airport, they were not handed over the boarding passes, following which they had to return home.
The BJP MP was a part of the parliamentary delegation being sent to represent the country at the UNGA.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had booked all MPs on different flights, and Singh was to fly Emirates. However, on reaching the airport, the MP was told by the Emirates ground staff that the airline could not issue him a boarding pass, as he had not been cleared by the FBI.
The US embassy, however, has made it clear that an FBI clearance is required only in the case of those who either have a criminal record or have an Interpol notice against them.
Taken aback, Singh protested vehemently and even produced a letter from the MEA, but the airlines staff refused to budge. The Emirates officials apparently told the MP that while he could travel only till Dubai, his wife Rubina could travel to New York.
The BJP MP refused the offer and they returned home. When contacted, the airlines Vice President India & Nepal Salim Obaidullah said the Emirates head office was examining the issue.
Later that day, Lakshman Singh wrote to the Prime Minister protesting against the treatment meted out to him. He also spoke to his brother and former MP Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, who promised to take up the issue with the PM.
After waiting till Tuesday for the PM’s reply, the BJP MP accused the Congress leadership of being instrumental in the Emirates airlines denying him a boarding pass.
A charge which the Congress party and Digvijay Singh have denied. “It’s absurd to blame the Congress leadership, he should stop hallucinating,” said the Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singh.
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