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This is an archive article published on June 4, 2014

1990s, 2007: Accidents made Munde switch to ‘safe’ Lexus

Munde had told The Indian Express earlier this year that he preferred the Lexus as he found it safe and comfortable.

The Maruti SX4 car in which Munde was travelling on Tuesday.Tashi Tobgyal The Maruti SX4 car in which Munde was travelling on Tuesday. (Source: Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde always chose to travel in his Toyota Lexus and would buy a new car of the same brand and colour — white — every three years. But on Tuesday, he was being driven in a Maruti SX4 car when he met with the fatal accident in Delhi.

Munde had told The Indian Express earlier this year that he preferred the Lexus as he found it safe and comfortable. “I suffered a serious neck injury after a stage on which I was sitting collapsed. Since then I have had problems with my neck and cannot move it normally. So I only use the Lexus which is the biggest car in the segment and is comfortable for someone with my condition,” Munde had said.

He had said he had been using the same brand of car for the past 12 years. “This is the third or fourth car of the same brand that I am using. I change it every three years,” Munde had said. He was known to use the vehicle to criss-cross the entire state.

Over the past few years, Munde had faced some serious accidents which affected his mobility. Apart from the stage collapse accident in the 1990s, he fractured an arm in a road accident in 2007 when his vehicle went off the road in an attempt to save a child at Parli.

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

 

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