Former Congress MLA Bholanath Pandey, who once gained national attention by hijacking an Indian Airlines flight in 1978 using a toy gun to demand the release of then-imprisoned former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, passed away on Friday. Pandey, a significant figure in the Congress party and known for his close ties with the Gandhi family, left a legacy marked by his bold actions during one of the most turbulent periods in Indian political history.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress unit expressed its condolences on social media, highlighting Pandey’s contributions to the development of his region and his role in strengthening the party. “The news of the demise of former MLA and senior Congress leader Bhola Pandey is extremely sad. The contribution made by Pandey ji in the development of his area and in strengthening the party will remain unforgettable. We pray for peace to his soul and strength to his family, well-wishers, and supporters,” read the statement from the Congress.
Pandey, who hailed from Moon Chhapra village in the Bairia area of Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district, was elected twice as an MLA from the Doaba (now Bairia) Assembly constituency, serving from 1980 to 1985 and again from 1989 to 1991. Despite multiple attempts to enter the Lok Sabha from the Salempur constituency on a Congress ticket, he was unable to secure a seat.
The hijacking incident in 1978 was one of the most dramatic episodes in Indian political history. Pandey, along with his accomplice Devendra Pandey, boarded Indian Airlines Flight 410 armed with nothing more than a toy gun and a ball. Their demand was clear: the release of Indira Gandhi, who had been arrested in the wake of the Emergency. The duo ordered the pilot to fly to Nepal, but due to fuel constraints, the plane instead landed in Varanasi. The situation was defused after hours of negotiations with the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ram Naresh Yadav, leading to the peaceful evacuation of the passengers.
The event propelled Pandey into the national spotlight, and although he and his accomplice surrendered, they faced no legal consequences after Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980. The hijacking incident remained a defining moment in Pandey’s political career, underscoring his loyalty to the Gandhi family and his willingness to take extreme measures for political causes.
Pandey’s death marks the end of an era, but his legacy in Indian politics, particularly within the Congress party, will be remembered for years to come. The Congress party, in mourning his passing, acknowledged his unwavering commitment to his constituency and the party’s ideals.
