MLA of Shinde-led Shiv Sena claims he killed a tiger in 1987, wears its tooth around his neck

A video of Sanjay Gaikwad, who represents the Buldhana constituency in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, making the claim has gone viral on social media.

Mumbai: In a shocking revelation which snowballed into a political issue in Maharashtra, an MLA of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena claimed that he had hunted a tiger 37 years ago and wears its tooth around his neck.

The MLA, Sanjay Gaikwad, represents Buldhana constituency in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

The claim seems to have been made during the celebrations of Shiv Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the legendary Maratha warrior.

Incidentally, the tiger is the symbol of Shiv Sena - conceived by its founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Saamana Online, an internet-media platform of Shiv Sena (UBT), posted the video, which has gone viral on social media platforms.

“This is a tiger tooth. In 1987, I had hunted it and removed it (the tooth),” said a smiling Gaikwad, who often lands in controversies for his statements.

Asked whether the tooth is of a tiger, he asserted: “…it's a tiger…”.

Gaikwad could not be contacted.

The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has not spoken on the issue.

Tiger is the national animal of India and is a critically endangered species under Wildlife (Protection) Act.