I will reward anyone who cuts off Rahul Gandhi's tongue with Rs 11 lakh: Shiv Sena MLA

Mumbai: Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has caused a stir by offering Rs 11 lakh to anyone who cuts off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tongue in response to his statements about ending the reservation system. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule, whose party is part of the Shiv Sena-led state government, has stated that he does not support Gaikwad's remarks.

Gaikwad alleged that Rahul Gandhi's comments made during a recent trip abroad revealed Congress's true opposition to the reservation system. He made the controversial offer, stating, "While he was abroad, Rahul Gandhi said that he wants to finish off the reservation system in India. This has exposed the true face of the Congress." He further declared, "During his recent US visit, Rahul Gandhi talked about ending reservations. It shows the mindset that is inherently opposed to reservations. I will reward anyone who cuts off Rahul Gandhi's tongue with Rs 11 lakh.”

Gaikwad also brought up Congress's past defeat of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in elections, criticizing Gandhi’s remarks as "the biggest treachery of the people." He added that communities such as Marathas, Dhangars, and OBCs, who are struggling for reservation benefits, are being betrayed. He accused Gandhi of promoting a false narrative about the BJP's stance on the Constitution, stating, "Rahul Gandhi used to show the Constitution book and spread fake narrative that the BJP would change it. But it is the Congress that plans to take the country back by 400 years."

Bawankule clarified that he does not endorse Gaikwad's comments, though he pointed out historical opposition to reservations by figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi. "I will not support or endorse Gaikwad's comments. However, we cannot forget that the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had opposed reservations saying it would affect the progress. Rajiv Gandhi had said giving reservations means supporting idiots. Now Rahul Gandhi says he would end reservations,” Bawankule remarked. He added that the BJP will educate SCs, STs, and OBCs about the views of Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, and suggested that even Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange should consider these points.

Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe condemned Gaikwad, saying, "Sanjay Gaikwad does not deserve to live in society and politics. We want to see whether Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis invokes charges of culpable homicide against Gaikwad." Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap also denounced the comments, stating, "I condemn such people and comments. These people have spoiled the politics of the state."

Gaikwad, an MLA from the Buldhana assembly constituency in the Vidarbha region, has previously been involved in controversies. Last month, a video of a policeman washing his car went viral, with Gaikwad later explaining that the officer cleaned the vehicle voluntarily after becoming ill inside it. In February, Gaikwad claimed to have hunted a tiger in 1987 and had been wearing its tooth around his neck, leading to the state Forest department sending the tooth for forensic analysis and charging him under the Wildlife Protection Act. PTI