Ridiculed MNS golden boy turns to Tukaram

Ramesh Wanjale, famous for wearing 2 kg gold, plans to do a PhD on the saint after his love for jewellery became a laughing stock

Ridiculed MNS golden boy turns to Tukaram

Ramesh Wanjale, famous for wearing 2 kg gold, plans to do a PhD on the saint after his love for jewellery became a laughing stock

He shot into the limelight not because of his credentials, but because of the gold on his person.

MNS's Ramesh Wanjale (45), who won the Assembly polls from Khadakvasla in Pune, had become a laughing stock because of the 2.25 kg gold he wore during campaigning.

However, after a diktat from party chief Raj Thackeray to stop wearing jewellery and concentrate on work, Wanjale has decided to go in for a makeover.

Further studies

He has decided to shed the jewellery after taking oath as an MLA and resume academics. "I want to do a PhD on Sant Tukaram, as I consider him my guru," explained Wanjale, who has studied till Std X.

Fully aware that it will take him years to complete the PhD, Wanjale added, "I will first get admission for HSC either in the half-yearly term exams or next year. After that, I will complete BA and MA from Pune University."

Eyeballs

At Raj Thackeray's press conference yesterday, all eyes were on Wanjale, as he posed for pictures.

Wanjale's colleague and MLA Ram Kadam said, "It's natural for heads to turn when someone sees Wanjale wearing so much gold.

But after Rajsaheb's order, he will remove all jewellery, as the MNS chief's word is final for us.

Our party workers were not laughing at him, but were curious, as he attracted eyeballs."

Added Kadam, "I can bet Wanjale is the only person out of the 288 MLAs who knows the best kirtans and sings the best abhangs of Sant Tukaram."

Jewel Brief

Ramesh Wanjale is known as the MNS's golden boy because of the two kg gold he wears.

He wears three gold chains with huge pendants, bracelets, gold watch and rings in eight fingers, including one with the party symbol.

Rs 25 lakh
The value of gold Ramesh Wanjale has, according to his affidavit

Did you know?
The MNS announced Bala Nandgaonkar, MLA from Sewri, as its party leader in the Vidhan Sabha and Mahim MLA Nitin Sardesai as the chief whip.