New Delhi: CPM senior leader E P Jayarajan is making news again by ending his boycott of Indigo Airlines. Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, Jayarajan explained that he reversed his decision because he urgently needed to reach Sitaram Yechury after learning about the demise of the CMP general secretary.

“There were some specific reasons for boycotting Indigo. It was all clarified then itself. The position taken by that company was completely wrong. But now the matter before me is more important than that. The most loved and respected leader is no more. The most important thing at this stage is to meet him,” Jayarajan said.

“The Indigo boycott should be seen as a fight I waged. But for me, Sitaram Yechury is bigger than my fight. Therefore, nothing else is taken into account. I am giving utmost importance to show respect and mourn the death of a great man, revolutionary and Communist leader,” he said.

“At a certain point, a decision was taken based on that particular situation. Don't assume the decision will be adhered forever. All circumstances should be assessed objectively to formulate policies. That decision was absolutely right under those circumstances. But that decision should not stop me from going to Sitaram Yechury on his demise,” he told Mathrubhumi News.

EP-Indigo feud saga

The tussle between EP Jayarajan and Indigo Airlines began in 2022 when Youth Congress leaders protested against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inside an IndiGo flight. Jayarajan, who was also present on the flight, manhandled the duo which he denied. Following this, the Indigo Company issued notices to both the Youth Congress leaders and Jayarajan, banning them. While the Youth Congress leaders were banned for two weeks, Jayarajan was banned for three weeks.

Infuriated by this, Jayarajan announced that he would boycott Indigo. He then said that the travel ban imposed on him was illegal and that IndiGo was a substandard company. 

“Even if I have to walk, I will not board Indigo,” he had said. 

Jayarajan had pointed out that IndiGo had wrongly imposed a travel ban on him for a longer period of time than it had done on the in-flight trespassers. He demanded that Indigo come out with a public apology as it had made a “grave mistake”. He had also announced that he would boycott the airlines until it tenders a public apology. At that time, Jayarajan was the LDF convener. Following the incident, he returned by train from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram. He could not rely on other airlines as only IndiGo operated on the Kannur-Thiruvananthapuram route.

Later in November, 2023, Jayarajan was again able to 'fly' from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram with the launch of Air India Express flight service. And it was big news as he boarded a flight from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram again after a long time. 

For more than a year, Jayarajan relied on the train for Kannur-Thiruvananthapuram journeys.