‘Pishi Chor, Bhaipo Chor, Trinamooler Shob Chor’: Mahua Moitra Faces Slogans Aboard Flight After TMC’s Massive Electoral Rout

Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra has drawn public attention after claiming she faced harassment from a group of passengers on an IndiGo flight from Kolkata to Delhi. The incident occurred shortly after the announcement of results for the West Bengal Assembly elections, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious.

Image from OpIndia

The Incident Onboard the Flight

On May 7, 2026, Mahua Moitra was travelling on IndiGo flight 6E 719 to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. Seated in row 1F, she later shared a video on social media platform X showing passengers chanting slogans after the aircraft had landed in Delhi but before the doors opened.

According to Moitra, a group of four to six men allegedly stared at her during boarding and later raised slogans such as “TMC chor,” “Pishi chor,” “Bhaipo chor,” and “Trinamooler shob chor,” along with “Jai Shri Ram.” She stated that the individuals also filmed her on their mobile phones, describing the episode as harassment that compromised her safety inside the aircraft.

Moitra tagged Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and IndiGo, urging the airline to identify the passengers through crew reports and place them on the no-fly list. She has since filed formal complaints with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the airline via email and speed post.

Political Context Following West Bengal Elections

The episode took place days after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results declared on May 5. The BJP secured a decisive victory, winning 206-207 seats in the 294-member assembly and ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state. The TMC’s tally dropped significantly to around 80 seats.

Several senior TMC leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, faced defeats in their respective constituencies. The election outcome reflected strong voter preferences for change after a long period of incumbency. Following the results, the state Governor dissolved the assembly, paving the way for the formation of a new government.

The slogans heard during the flight echoed themes that featured prominently in the election campaign, particularly concerns over alleged governance issues within the previous ruling party.

Reactions and Airline Response

The video shared by Moitra quickly circulated on social media, sparking widespread discussions. TMC leaders described the incident as unacceptable and called for strict action to ensure passenger safety. Moitra emphasised that such behaviour should not be dismissed as mere public expression but viewed as a violation of safety protocols on board an aircraft.

IndiGo has indicated that it will conduct an internal investigation once a formal complaint is received and follow standard procedures, which may involve coordination with the DGCA for any further measures. Aviation experts note that unruly passenger incidents are taken seriously under established DGCA guidelines aimed at maintaining order and safety during flights.

The MGMM Outlook 

The controversy surrounding Mahua Moitra’s allegations aboard the IndiGo flight reflects the deeply polarised political atmosphere in West Bengal following the 2026 Assembly election results. Public reactions after a major political shift often become emotionally charged, but incidents inside shared public spaces such as commercial aircraft raise broader concerns about passenger conduct and safety. The slogans directed at the TMC MP, reportedly linked to campaign narratives and public dissatisfaction with the previous government, quickly transformed the episode into a larger political debate across social media and news platforms.

At the same time, the incident has once again highlighted how political rivalries in India are increasingly spilling into everyday interactions beyond rallies and election campaigns. While democratic expression remains an important aspect of public life, maintaining decorum and respecting safety norms in confined environments like flights is equally necessary. With formal complaints now under review by IndiGo and the DGCA, the focus remains on determining whether airline conduct rules were breached while West Bengal continues adjusting to its significant political transition after the BJP’s sweeping electoral victory.

(Sources: OpIndia, India Today, Hindustan Times)