Leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) protested inside Parliament premises on Monday against the proposed sale of Air India.

Raising slogans of “stop privatisation of Air India”, TMC MPs demanded that the Centre should not go ahead with its divestment plans of the national carrier.

Holding placards that read ‘Air India is India’s pride’, the TMC parliamentarians claimed that the carrier’s sale is another scam waiting to happen.

Trinamool MPs stage dharna inside #Parliament premises against the proposed sale of #AirIndia | WATCH pic.twitter.com/MxhcxB1VKx

— AITC (@AITCofficial) April 2, 2018

Derek O’Brien, the party’s MP in the Rajya Sabha, had on 29 March accused the government of compromising and subverting institutions of the state.

“One by one, every institution is being compromised and subverted. Now even Standing Committee of Parliament not spared. While it’s discussing Air India, govt goes ahead and announces privatisation plan & Minister gives details today. Democracy hijacked by executive class?” he wrote on Twitter.

One by one, every institution is being compromised and subverted. Now even Standing Committee of Parliament not spared. While it’s discussing Air India, govt goes ahead and announces privatisation plan & Minister gives details today. Democracy hijacked by executive class?

— Derek O’Brien (@derekobrienmp) March 29, 2018

His remarks came a day after party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “strongly opposed” the Central government’s decision to invite ‘Expression of Interest’ to divest 76 per cent stake in national carrier Air India and wanted the order to be withdrawn immediately.

She had then stated that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi should “not be allowed to sell the country”.

I am sorry to read in the media about the Govt 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 We strongly oppose this and want this order to be withdrawn immediately. This Govt must not be allowed to sell our country

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 28, 2018

Banerjee, who called Air India “the jewel of our nation”, expressed her displeasure that the government had sought an EoI even though the Parliamentary Standing Committee was discussing the issue.

On 28 March, the government had invited ‘Expression of Interest’ to divest 76 per cent stake and management control of the national passenger carrier Air India (AI).

The Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) inviting the “EoI” for the strategic divestment of AI, along with the airline’s shares in AIXL (Air India Express) and AISATS (Air India SATS Airport Services) from private entities including the airline’s employees was issued on Wednesday.

The central government owns 100 per cent equity of Air India. In turn, the airline holds full stake in Air India Express, while it holds 50 per cent stake in the joint venture AISATS.

Accordingly, it has been planned to divest 76 per cent government stake in AI, 100 per cent in AIXL and 50 per cent in AISATS.

Even some prominent BJP leaders are not happy with the Air India move.

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy had opposed the disinvestment plan on the ground that it is a potential “scam in the making”.

The proposed sale of Air India is potentially another scam in the making. Selling family silver is not divestment. I am watching who is doing what and will, if I see culpability, file a private criminal law complaint.

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) March 31, 2018

“The proposed sale of Air India is potentially another scam in the making. Selling family silver is not divestment. I am watching who is doing what and will, if I see culpability, file a private criminal law complaint,” he wrote on Twitter two days ago.