In a significant political development ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede is set to join the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction). According to sources, the formal process for his entry into the party is underway, and Wankhede is expected to officially join in the next two days.
Wankhede, a former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director, is reportedly eyeing a bid for the 2024 assembly elections from the prominent Dharavi constituency in Mumbai. Dharavi, known as Asia’s largest slum, is a politically significant seat and is expected to witness a competitive electoral battle.
This isn’t Wankhede’s first brush with political aspirations. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it was speculated that Wankhede was keen on joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contesting from the Wardha constituency in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, which is also his hometown. However, he has now aligned with the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Wankhede gained widespread attention due to his high-profile actions and raids during his tenure at Mumbai Customs and the NCB. In 2022, he led the infamous Cordelia cruise ship raid, which resulted in the arrest of Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, on drug possession charges. The case garnered massive media coverage, but all charges against Aryan Khan were later dropped, with Wankhede himself removed from the case following accusations of blackmail.
Currently posted in Chennai, Wankhede’s political entry is expected to add a new dimension to the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. His tough stance as a law enforcement officer and his association with high-profile cases make him a notable figure in the state’s political arena.
As the Maharashtra elections draw closer, Wankhede’s decision to contest from Dharavi could signal a new chapter in his career, transitioning from law enforcement to politics. All eyes will be on his formal induction into the Shiv Sena and the impact his candidacy could have on the political landscape of the state.