Was 'drunk' Bhagwant Mann deplaned in Germany? Opposition attacks AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has landed in trouble over reports of an "inebriated" Bhagwant Mann being deplaned in Germany last week. Opposition parties have attacked the Punjab chief minister for allegedly "shaming Punjabis" by being removed from a Lufthansa flight in Germany for being "too drunk." However, the AAP, which has been questioned earlier over Mann's drunken behavior, clarified these are baseless rumors.
Why does this story matter?
The comedian-turned-politician was sworn in as Punjab's chief minister in March after the AAP swept the Assembly polls this year. Mann's career has been riddled with public instances of drunken behavior; the 48-year-old was caught on tape in an inebriated state several times. In 2019, addressing the people of Punjab, he said he had quit drinking alcohol and vowed he won't touch alcohol again.
History repeats itself for Mann?
A report by India Narrative said that Mann, who had been in Germany since September 11, was allegedly removed from a Lufthansa flight in Frankfurt for being inebriated on Saturday. An Indian co-passenger reportedly told the publication that Mann was "not steady on his feet as he had imbibed excessive alcohol and had to be supported by his wife and security personnel accompanying him."
Opposition goes all guns blazing
The Indian National Congress (INC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have also alleged Mann's drunken behavior delayed the Lufthansa flight by four hours. While the Congress termed it "a big shame," the SAD's Sukhbir Singh Badal said, "He missed AAP's national convention. These reports have embarrassed and shamed Punjabis all over the globe." Further, Badal demanded that the AAP come clean on the issue.
Issue involves Punjabi and national pride, jibes Badal
Take a look at what Congress said
Passenger resembling Mann seen on flight
A Punjab government source told The Hindu that Mann did not board the flight as per the schedule. He was reportedly dropped off at the Frankfurt airport by a cab, which was called back to pick him up from the airport after some time. A person resembling Mann entered the flight but later left the aircraft with four to five people, an eyewitness claimed.
Flight delayed by four hours
Reportedly, while the flight was delayed by three hours due to a late inbound flight, it was delayed further due to arguments between passengers. After the above-mentioned people deboarded, passengers waited for their baggage to be taken off. "Our flight...departed later than originally planned due to a delayed inbound flight and an aircraft change," Lufthansa said, adding information regarding individual passengers cannot be disclosed.
Social media propaganda, says AAP
Chander Suta Dogra, the AAP's director of media communications, explained the delay in Mann's arrival took place because he was feeling unwell. Additionally, the AAP clarified that Mann returned to Punjab on Monday as scheduled. "All these social media reports are propaganda. The opposition is rattled because Mr. Mann is effectively getting some investment from his foreign trip," AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang said.
