In a major setback to Shiv Sena (UBT), its chief Uddhav Thackeray’s close associate and three-time MLA from Jogeswhari East Ravindra Waikar Sunday joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Waikar, 65, was under the scanner of central investigative agencies with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October 2023 registering a money laundering case against him in connection with the construction of a luxury hotel, claiming it in violation of his agreement with the Mumbai municipal body.
Waikar got a major reprieve in February after the Mumbai civic body told the Supreme Court that it was withdrawing its order to revoke permission for Waikar’s hotel. The decision set the ground for the collapse of the ED case against him and led to talk of Waikar’s defection.
“You can influence policy decisions only when you are in the government,” MLA Waikar said while joining the Eknath Sena.
Asked if he switched allegiance due to pressure from central agencies, Waikar said, “I have faced all the agencies. Once you cooperate, the truth emerges.”
Shinde said the allegations against Waikar were a thing of the past. “There were some misunderstandings, which have now been cleared,” he said.