- By Yashashvi Tak
- Sat, 07 Jun 2025 04:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's journey from Jalgaon to Mumbai was delayed by almost an hour on Friday after the pilot of his private aircraft declined to take off, citing that his duty hours had ended.
The flight eventually took off after fresh clearance was obtained and the pilot was persuaded by ruling party leaders. However, Shinde’s office stated that the delay proved beneficial, as it allowed them to airlift a kidney failure patient to Mumbai in time for her transplant.
The incident occurred as Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde was preparing to depart from Jalgaon, where he had taken part in the 'Palkhi Yatra', a religious procession of Sant Muktai in Muktainagar.
The Deputy Chief Minister was supposed to reach Jalgaon at 3:45 PM but was delayed by about two and a half hours due to technical issues. After landing, he travelled to Muktainagar by road, accompanied by ministers Girish Mahajan, Gulabrao Patil, and a few administrative officials, according to NDTV.
After attending the Palkhi Yatra and visiting the Sant Muktai temple, Shinde and his team returned to Jalgaon airport at 9:15 PM. However, the pilot refused to take off, saying his duty hours had ended and fresh clearance would be needed before the flight could resume.
The pilot also cited ill health as a reason for refusing to take off. Ministers Girish Mahajan, Gulabrao Patil, and other accompanying officials tried to persuade him, and after about 45 minutes of discussion, they managed to convince him to proceed. Mahajan also coordinated with the concerned authorities to secure the necessary departure clearance, after which the flight finally took off for Mumbai, according to an NDTV report.
"The pilot had a health-related concern and an issue with the timing. There were some technical difficulties too. We spoke to the airline company, and they explained the situation to the pilot in their own way. It was a minor issue," Mahajan said.
Eknath Shinde Offered Airlift To Kidney Failure Patient
On their return flight, Shinde and his team helped a woman, Sheetal Patil, who urgently needed to undergo kidney surgery in Mumbai. She and her husband had missed their scheduled flight.
When Mahajan learned of their situation, he arranged for the couple to be airlifted to Mumbai on Shinde’s aircraft. Ambulance services were also kept ready at the Mumbai airport to ensure immediate medical attention upon arrival.
"Eknath Shinde has not forgotten his days of struggle even today. He has shown sensitivity towards the common man," Patil said.