Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad sparked a controversy after he allegedly assaulted an Air India staff member over not being able to travel business class.
Gaikwad was put on a no-fly list in the wake of the incident. While travelling to Mumbai via train on 25 March, he also lashed out at the journalists who had gathered to talk to him. He turned violent and pushed them out of the compartment he was travelling in.
No Stranger to Controversy
Row with Deputy DSP of Osmanabad
As it turns out, Gaikwad is no stranger to controversy. On 21 March, days before his now infamous Air India flight, the MP had an altercation with the Deputy DSP of Osmanabad, India Today reported.
In the video he can be seen berating the DSP Chandrakant Khandwi over two missing Shiv Sena members.
Allegedly force-fed a fasting man
The 57-year-old Lok Sabha member from the Osmanabad constituency in the Marathwada region drew severe criticism in 2014 after he allegedly tried to force-feed a Muslim man during the month of Ramzan. He allegedly did so during an altercation over the quality of food served at the Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.
Criminal record
According to his affidavit filed ahead of the 2014 General Elections, there are three criminal cases against Gaikwad – including voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servants from duty, criminal intimidation and rioting among others.
Altercation with BJP’s Sanjay Nimbalkar
In 2014, supporters of Gaikwad came to blows with the supporters of BJP leader Sanjay Nimbalkar in front of ex-state revenue minister Eknath Khadse, as Times of India reported.
Khadse was on tour for drought relief when he went to Nimbalkar’s house. A scuffle broke out after Gaikwad arrived at the spot and the BJP workers questioned his presence.
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