Buldhana, March 23 Shiv Sena MLA from Buldhana, Sanjay Gaikwad, has stirred controversy by claiming that he relinquished "₹35 crore in commissions" for the benefit of his party workers and supporters, which has led many of them to switch from bicycles to driving Toyota Fortuners.
He made this statement in Chikhli on Sunday after 600 workers from various political parties joined the Eknath Shinde-led outfit.
Asserting his position as a powerful MLA, Gaikwad said that he had never used this power to intimidate anyone.
"I use this power to support ordinary citizens and empower party workers. The workers who used to ride bicycles with me now travel in Fortuner cars. I have given around ₹35 crore in commissions to the workers," Gaikwad said.
"Workers need to be strong 'because when they are strong, I will also be strong'," he told the gathering.