New Delhi, October 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress MP and newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress Working President Imran Masood has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of turning the episode involving flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar into a political “event”, while saluting the pilot for his bravery in averting a potentially serious aviation disaster.
Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073. Despite sustaining injuries, he helped prevent the situation from escalating and the aircraft was later diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. More than 170 people were on board the flight.
Asked about the BJP's criticism of the Gandhi family over its alleged silence on Machchhar's actions, Masood said the incident should not be turned into a political controversy.
“Captain Smit Machchhar saved his own life and the lives of others. Salute to his bravery. But it is not as if the BJP has turned everything into an event. The BJP tries to turn every other issue into an event. He is alive, let's just pray he is well; that's all,” Masood told IANS.
The remarks followed an attack by the BJP on the Congress leadership, questioning why the Gandhi family had not publicly acknowledged the pilot's courage while, according to the BJP, members of the family had spoken about the conflict in Palestine.
Masood also criticized the handling of the ongoing political dispute involving the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that attempts were being made to divert attention from the wider controversy. He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would continue to lead what he described as the principal political fight against the poll panel.
“There are many things that are practiced to divert the issue. But the real fight is being fought by Rahul Gandhi,” Masood said, asserting that the controversy had raised questions about public trust in the Election Commission.
He also targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying, “We will not let Gyanesh Kumar sit in peace. Gyanesh Kumar will have to go, and he will have to answer for this.”
The Congress leader further accused the BJP of forming governments in Bihar and Bengal through what he called “stolen votes”.
His remarks came in response to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who had accused the Congress of repeatedly questioning the Election Commission and described it as a long-standing habit of the party.
Masood hit back, alleging that the BJP had “insulted democracy” and was running governments on the strength of what he termed stolen votes.