Accusing civil aviation minister Praful Patel of being responsible for the state of affairs in Air India, the CPI(M) today demanded immediate revocation of the order to derecognise the unions and sacking of employees for going on a flash strike.

Maintaining that Air India CMD has been "refusing to have any dialogue" with the employees for several months, the party Politburo said, "The role of civil aviation minister Praful Patel is also responsible for the present state of affairs in Air India."

It said the airline management was "solely responsible for the inconvenience to the passengers" as it has not been holding talks with the unions and also issued a 'gag order' that "provoked the spontaneous strike action".

Expressing "grave concern at the vindictive attitude of the Air India management" in sacking and suspending a large number of employees even after they called off the strike, the CPI(M) said the management also "arbitrarily" withdrew the recognition of Air Corporation Employees Union "without assigning any reason".

The party demanded immediate revocation of the termination and suspension orders against the union activists and sought the restoration of recognition of the ACEU.

"The management should immediately start negotiations with the unions to improve the services of Air India and address the legitimate grievances of the employees", the CPI(M) said.