Mumbai : The troubles for Ravindra Gaikwad, the controversial Shiv Sena MP who hit an Air India staffer with his slipper, are growing by the day. First, all domestic airlines came together and banned him from flying. Then, Delhi Police registered an FIR against Gaikwad. Now, his party boss, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has refused to meet him.
Gaikwad took a train from Delhi and landed in Mumbai to meet Uddhav Thackeray and give his version of the incident. The MP was told not to set foot on Matoshree. Gaikwad immediately left for Pune and has been hiding in one his supporter’s home for the time being. The MP has even switched off his mobile and it is likely that he will reach his home town, Umarga in Osmanabad district by Sunday afternoon and remain there till the furore over his behaviour dies down.
That things were not moving in the right direction for him became clear after the Sena chief formed a committee to investigate the charges against Gaikwad.
Sena leader Sanjay Raut told reporters that while his party does not endorse Gaikward’s behaviour, a proper inquiry should be held to ascertain the facts.
A Sena source told Free Press Journal that when the controversy erupted in Delhi and MPs cutting across party lines wanted action to be taken against Gaikwad, the MP was keen to meet Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday afternoon to clarify his position. “He wanted to explain his stand to Thackeray. However, as reporters gathered in front of Matoshree to get him, Gaikwad was told not be seen anywhere near the Sena president’s home for the next few days. “Party leaders have also told him not to speak to the media,” said a Sena leader who did not wish to be named. He left for Pune immediately.
“Gaikwad, popularly kno- wn as Ravi Sir among his supporters, is hardly accessible to his voters. He is a two-time MLA from Umarga and won the 2014 Lok Sabha election defeating Padmasinh Patil, the NCP stalwart.
