Now, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad Clashes With Cops Over Cashless ATMs

Mumbai: Days after turning the page on his feud with Air India, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad is in the news again for another heated argument — this time with police officials over the "non- functioning" of ATMs at Latur in Marathwada region.

Videos of the alleged argument between Gaikwad, his supporters and police personnel show the MP arguing with a police officer.

The Lok Sabha member from adjoining Osmanabad constituency, Gaikwad, who reached Latur on Tuesday, had sent his aide to withdraw money from an ATM at Latur.

However, the aide returned empty-handed, saying the ATM had run out of cash. This happened with a few other ATMs, prompting the Sena MP to go out and stage a protest with his supporters outside an ATM, PTI reported.

When policemen arrived and requested Gaikwad to discontinue his protest as it was blocking traffic, the Sena MP allegedly shouted at them, police said.

Giving his version of the incident, Gaikwad said, "There is no money in the ATMs for the last 15 days. What should we do?

"They (the BJP-led government) asked us to give them 50 days (after demonetisation, for normalisation of financial transactions). We gave them 100 days, then 200 days. It is the job of the (Union) Finance Minister and the Finance Minister of Maharashtra. It is also the job of the Guardian Minister of Latur district to rectify the situation."

The ruling BJP is in alliance with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

The Sena MP was in news recently for assaulting an Air India official onboard a flight after being denied a business-class seat in an all-economy flight. A ban imposed on him by the national carrier and private airlines was lifted after government intervention.

(With PTI inputs)