In a shocking decision that could stoke major controversy, three people convicted for the murder of senior RPI leader Naresh Gaikwad have been inducted into Shiv Sena by senior party leaders on Tuesday.
According to the reports, the three convicts – Rahatmulla Khan alias Papa Khan, Indin Shaikh and Anawar Shaikh have joined Shiv Sena in the presence of party leader MLA Balaji Kinikar and Thane rural president Gopal Landge. All the three accused are currently on parole due to COVID-19. The three convicts have joined the party ahead of Ambernath municipal council election.
Naresh Gaikwad, the Dalit leader from Thane District, was killed in 2000 by six people, including the three Muslim youths who have now joined Shiv Sena. All six accused were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Dalit leader’s murder case.
Son of the Dalit leader express shock
Naresh Gaikwad’s son Kabir Gaikwad, who is associated with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has expressed his shock over Shiv Sena’s decision to induct three murder convicts into their fold. “I am shocked with Shiv Sena’s decision of allowing the convicts, who killed my father, to join the party,” Gaikwad said.
The deceased leader’s son, expressing disbelief, said that he hoped CM Uddhav Thackeray would ask his party to expel these goons from the Shiv Sena. He also appealed to jail authorities to cancel the parole of the convicts.
A senior Shiv Sena leader from the city, speaking to the Times of India, said the party might lose Dalit votes in the civic election, and added that party senior leaders should think about their decision.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Balaji Kinikar said to allow these convicts to join the party was the decision of his senior leaders.
