Congress today demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pull up Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, a chain smoker, who carries matchbox with him on flights and alleged that the action showed the BJP government's "pro tobacco lobby mindset".
"The action of the Civil Aviation Minister...Is a serious lapse on the part of the civil aviation authorities and those responsible for airport security. The Prime Minister should call for his explanation", party spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters.
Alleging that tobacco lobby was being "promoted and protected" by Modi government, he suggested that a BJP MP has made an atrocious statement that smoking beedi is a 'herbal cure for good health'.
This all shows "pro tobacco lobby mindset" of the Modi government, he claimed.
Reports had it that in clear violation of rules, the Civil Aviation Minister carries matchboxes with him on flights since he is not subjected to frisking.
Raju made this confession during his address at the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) event here today when he said that before becoming a minister last year, his matchboxes and lighters were confiscated by airport security. He had lost all his lighters and matchboxes then.
But after becoming the minister for civil aviation "people stopped frisking me" and "my matchbox also came along with me", he said.
