Mamata Banerjee, Derek O'Brien question Centre's move on Air India disinvestment

Strongly opposing the Union government's move to disinvest its stake in Air India, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Wednesday questioned the decision, saying a parliamentary panel was still examining the issue.

"I'm sorry to read in the media about the government inviting expression of interest for selling Air India, the jewel of our nation. We strongly oppose this and want this order to be withdrawn immediately," TMC chief Banerjee chief tweeted.

"This government must not be allowed to sell our country," she claimed.

O'Brien also took to Twitter to voice against the government's move on releasing the preliminary information memorandum on strategic disinvestment of the national carrier.

"The proposed disinvestment of Air India is being examined by the panel. Stakeholders are being called. Views heard. Report still some time away. How come these moves from government?" he tweeted.

O'Brien heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Transport, Tourism and Culture.

In January, during a meeting of the panel, most members had sought the withdrawal of the draft report which said that it was not an appropriate time to divest stake in Air India and that the airline should be given at least five years to revive.

O'Brien, however, had remained absent from that meeting.

Sixteen members of the 31-member panel had given in writing their opposition to the draft report. The majority of the members, in favour of selling the government's stake in Air India, were from the ruling BJP.