Responding to a notice sent by his former party, the Shiv Sena (UBT), asking why he should not be disqualified as the Jogeshwari East Assembly segment’s representative, Ravindra Waikar claimed he had not left the party, so there is no question of disqualification. On Thursday, Waikar, who is contesting the general election from the Mumbai North West constituency on a Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) ticket, admitted for the first time that he and his new party chief didn’t see eye to eye on some matter but claimed their differences were sorted out after having discussions.

Speaking with reporters at his election campaign office in Jogeshwari on Thursday, Waikar said, “After allegations were made against me [in connection with the construction of a luxury hotel], I met Economic Offences Wing and Enforcement Directorate officials and explained how the allegations were false. Later, I met Uddhav-ji thrice and told him we needed to find a way out. I even told him the only way to solve the problem was to call the Prime Minister. Uddhav-ji replied that he couldn’t do anything about it and would have to deal with it myself.” Waikar also said he still believed his former party chief should have stood behind him in his time of adversity.