Former Air India Executive Director Jitendra Bhargava reiterated his stand today on the national air carrier's downfall, which he has narrated in his recently published book 'The Descent of Air India'.
Reacting to former Air India Chairman and Managing Director V Thulasidas' article in an English daily questioning Bhargava's "credibility", the latter said, "Instead of apologising for what he did to Air India, he has taken a stand claiming that he has not done anything at all".
In his book, Bhargava blamed Thulasidas and former Union Aviation Minister Praful Patel for Air India's downfall.
In his recent article Thulasidas, had written "I had to remove this person (Bhargava) from two posts - directorship of Human Resources and Public Relations departments - due to inadequate performance. He was found unsuitable by the Public Enterprises Selection Board for a board position again during that time period".
"Further, he spent 20 silent years in Air India and has suddenly found a 'strong' voice that is especially convenient after the airline is in a mess. That should tell readers another story about the person's credibility," the former Air India CMD had written recently.
"This is untrue. In August 2004, I was transferred from the HR department, under pressure from Air India's unions. Six unions, including the de-recognised Indian Pilots' Guild, had written to Thulasidas seeking my transfer because they viewed my conduct as HR head as anti-labour and anti-union," Bhargava said.
