Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya. Image credit: English News Track

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, former liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Tuesday asked union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to consider his repeated offer to repay 100 per cent pending dues of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

Mallya is wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore.

“I have made repeated offers to pay 100 per cent of the amount borrowed by KFA to the Banks,” Mallya tweeted.

” Neither are Banks willing to take the money and neither is the ED willing to release their attachments which they did at the behest of the Banks,” he said.

“I wish the FM would listen in this time of crisis,” Mallya further tweeted.

The former liquid baron further said that all his companies have ceased operations and manufacturing following the 21-day nationwide lockdown.

In another tweet, Mallya said, “Indian Government has done what was unthinkable in locking down the entire country.”

“We respect that. All my companies have effectively ceased operations. All manufacturing is closed as well,” he further said seeking government’s help.

“We are not sending employees home and paying the idle cost. Government has to help,” he further said.

He also urged people to stay safe and maintain social distancing and said, “I am doing the same. We all have a sense of bravado but it’s not worth challenging an unknown enemy which isn’t Pulwama or Kargil.”