Accusing the government of discriminating between private and public airlines, embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya today expressed sympathy with crisis-hit Jet Airways saying that India should be proud of Naresh Goyal for building such a fine airline.
"Even though we were fierce competitors, my sympathies go out to Naresh and Neeta Goyal who built Jet Airways that India should be extremely proud of. Fine Airline providing vital connectivity and class service. Sad that so many Airlines have bitten the dust in India. Why?" Mallya tweeted.
He said even though Jet Airways was a major competitor to Kingfisher Airlines, he feels sorry to see such a large private airline on the brink of failure when the government used 35,000 crores of public funds to bail out Air India.
"Just being a PSU is no excuse for discrimination," he said adding that he invested hugely into Kingfisher which rapidly grew to become India’s largest and most awarded airline.
Reiterating his offer to repay all the money he owes to India’s public sector banks, Mallya questioned why are the banks not accepting the money he offered.
"Every time I say that I am willing to pay 100 percent back to the PSU Banks, media say I am spooked, terrified etc of extradition from the U.K. to India. I am willing to pay either way whether I am in London or in an Indian Jail. Why don’t Banks take the money I offered first ?," he said blaming it to "Airline Karma".
Mallya, who is facing trial for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to ₹9,000 crore, is currently facing trial at a London court.
