2 Kerala MPs delay flight

A series of delays and two irate MPs led to high drama at the Indira Gandhi International Airport IGIA on Friday evening. It started with an Indian Airlines flight from Delhi to Cochin getting delayed. Following the delayed flight, which was supposed to depart at 5.30 p.m. from Delhi, the same aircraft developed a technical snag. When the pilot requested passengers to de-board, two CPIM MPs 8212; K S Manoj and Varkala Radhakrishnan 8212; refused to comply. Finally, another aircraft left without the two MPs.

8220;The aircraft was on its way from Patna to Delhi and arrived late. At 7.15 p.m., when passengers had boarded the plane, it developed a technical snag and the pilot requested the passengers to de-board. The new aircraft was 2 km away and three active runways had to be crossed. The new aircraft was in Bay 412,8221; said an IA spokesperson.

8220;But the two MPs refused to de-board and eventually the flight had to leave without them at 10.15 p.m.,8221; the spokesperson said.

An aide of Radhakrishnan said, 8220;Mr Radhakrishnan had a problem with his flight. We have recieved information that the flight has left without the two MPs and they are still in Delhi. We are trying to contact him. Mr Radhakrishnan did not board the flight.8221;