The trigger for the controversy is AI’s former executive director Jitender Bhargava's recently published book, which blames ex-chairman V Thulasidas for the carrier's steep decline.
On Tuesday, Thulasidas hit back at the charges against him in a newspaper article and justified the decisions in his tenure, including the airline's decision to order 68 planes.
"I was not part of the committee that recommended 68 aircraft but I fully supported that expansion, since it made sense considering the rapid expansion of air traffic compared to the 1990s," Thulasidas said in his article.
He also said other domestic airlines such as IndiGo placed an order for 100 Airbus planes before launch and so, it was not unusual for airlines to place large orders.
"Second, the proposal to acquire 68 aircraft was sent to the government, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2005.
If anyone felt strongly against this acquisition, they could have objected. No one objected then; the proposal was approved."
Bhargava blames Thulasidas' tenure and an alleged series of wrong decisions during the latter’s 2003-08 tenure for the current state
Dreamliner flight can be nightmarish! Panel falls off AI flight
Big-ticket property deals hit in Mumbai
Who KILLED Air India? An insider reveals the facts
Who's to be blamed for Air India's plight?
Faltering Air India looks set for take-off