Suspended MNS legislator sheds gold ornaments

Those used to seeing 2.5 kg of gold ornaments on Ramesh Wanjale found it difficult to recognise him on Tuesday.

Those used to seeing 2.5 kg of gold ornaments on Ramesh Wanjale found it difficult to recognise him on Tuesday.

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The ‘golden boy’ of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) who was among the four legislators suspended for manhandling legislator Abu Asim Azmi on Monday had taken off his thick gold chains and chunky rings because MNS chief Raj Thackeray ordered him to do so, saying they looked ‘vulgar’.

Wanjale started Monday’s ruckus in the Assembly by uprooting the lectern when Azmi was taking oath. “I had promised Rajsaheb I would do it after taking my oath,” said Wanjale about his ornaments.

Wanjale was initially reluctant to part with his trademark jewellery saying nobody would recognise him without them.

Wanjale, elected from Khadakwasala constituency in Pune, also announced that he would be studying life of Sant Tukaram who propagated tolerance.

“I am planning to do a PhD on Sant Tukaram,” he said.

In another development, Wanjale met social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday. What transpired between the two was not known.