Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad Announces ₹11 Lakh Award for Chopping Off Rahul Gandhi's Tongue, Stirs Controversy

Controversial Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad (Shinde faction) has kicked off another row by saying he would offer 11 lakh rupees to anyone who chops off Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's tongue. Gaikwad expressed dissatisfaction over Gandhi's recent comments on reservation regime in the country.

Gaikwad has been at the centre of controversies in past as well. Recently, he was in news over a policeman washing his car. On a separate occasion, he claimed of hunting a tiger in the year 1987. This even attracted charges under wildlife protection act.

Sanjay Gaikwad is an MLA from Buldhana. He alleged that Gandhi wanted to end reservation for tribals and other socially backward classes.

“When the demands of reservation are rising in Maharashtra and the country, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a statement to end reservation in the country. In the Lok Sabha elections, he spread a false narrative to get votes. Today he is speaking the language of ending reservation from the country and has shown the real face of the Congress. This is my challenge whoever chops off Rahul Gandhi’s tongue will be given a reward of Rs 11 lakh on my behalf,” said Gaikwad as quoted by Indian Express.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Rahul Gandhi made the comment on reservation during his recent trip to the US. When he was interacting with students at Georgetown University, he said that a thought of scrapping reservations can only be entertained when "India is a fair place" adding that that was not the case right now.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) however, has however held Rahul Gandhi's statement as one against the reservation regime. Many leaders of the party, including Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar have slammed Gandhi on the issue.