Conviction to hurt his political plans

The fate of the political party formed by gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, hangs in limbo after he was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday.

The fate of the political party formed by gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, hangs in limbo after he was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday.

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Gawli had a tight control over the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS) even though he was behind bars. However, it is believed that he will now lose his iron grip as he may be moved to a jail outside Mumbai.

Gawli’s daughter Geeta, an elected representative in the civic body, insisted that the party would remain strong. “My family and I will handle all the matters related to ABS, We will contest the next elections and the family will take decisions on the next political course,” she said.

Gawli had made his debut in the political circle by launching his own party in 1996. From his bastion in Dagadi Chawl in south Mumbai, he handled the party proceedings and even managed to win the state assembly elections from Chinchpokli constituency in 2004.

His daughter and sister-in-law won the civic elections and were elected as a corporator for two terms.

After his conviction, the party’s relations with Shiv Sena have come under the scanner.

The Sena corporators are not commenting on the party’s ties with ABS in the civic corporation. “Any decision on it will be taken by our leadership. We are not in a position to comment on it,” said a Sena corporator.

The conviction may hurt his political ambition and the possible expansion of his party.

“Till now, there were allegations against him. But now, he has been convicted for a murder. This will surely dampen the future of ABS,” said a Congress corporator.