Shiv Sena (UBT) issues disqualification notice to MLA Ravindra Waikar

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday issued a disqualification notice to MLA Ravindra Waikar who quit the Sena (UBT) in March this year and was then declared as the Eknath Shinde led Sena’s Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai North West. The disqualification notice to Waikar came a day after Waikar said that after being implicated in a wrong case, he was left with only two options: to go behind bars, or to switch sides.Waikar said that it was with a heavy heart that he switched sides. “There was pressure, but when my wife's name was also implicated, I had no choice... The time that destiny brought on me, should not befall anyone,” Waikar had said.
Waikar who is a sitting MLA from Jogeshwari was one of the 15 MLAs who had not joined the Shinde led Sena when the party split in June 2022. He remained with the Sena (UBT) till March 2024.
“Ravindra Waikar has indulged in anti-party activity. When the party split in June 2022 when Eknath Shinde ran away with some MLAs, Waikar was with Uddhav Thackeray. But later the ED went after him, he was being probed. He was told that he and his wife will be arrested. His property was attached. So he was under pressure and joined the Shinde Sena. He jumped ship overnight and is now fighting the Lok Sabha polls,” Sena (UBT) lawyer Asim Sarode said.
“Waikar said that he would remain with Uddhav Thackeray and so he accepted Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership. So he was a member of the new Sena (UBT) which was recognised. But now he has joined a new party and is indulging in anti-party activity after joining the Shinde Sena. He’s fighting the Lok Sabha polls, which is illegal. So we have given him a disqualification notice asking him why he should not be disqualified,” Sarode said.
“If Waikar doesn’t get elected to the Lok Sabha, then the disqualification proceeding will be carried out before Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. With this notice, voters will realise that Ravindra Waikar has betrayed Uddhav Thackeray and indulged in deceit. This will come before the people so we have issued a legal notice,” Sarode said.
Waikar was accused of using BMC land reserved for gardens to build a luxury hotel. He was alleged to be involved in a Rs 500 crore scam and was raided by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January. Waikar switched sides a day after Thackeray announced Amol Kirtikar as the Lok Sabha candidate from the Mumbai North-West constituency, which includes Jogeshwari, currently represented by Shinde Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar.