Saeed Khan, better known in political circles and his hometown of Pathri as "Gabbar", won the Parbhani-Hingoli Local Authorities constituency and in the process became the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's first Muslim MLC.When the results of the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections started coming in on Monday, the headlines were largely about the Mahayuti’s dominance. The ruling alliance won 16 of the 17 seats at stake, including six that were elected unopposed.But among the winners was one candidate whose political journey stood apart from the rest.Saeed Khan, better known in political circles and his hometown of Pathri as “Gabbar”, won the Parbhani-Hingoli Local Authorities constituency and in the process became the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s first Muslim MLC.Just four years ago, Khan was in jail after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. On Monday, he was among the faces celebrating the Mahayuti’s victory.Khan, 46, comes from Pathri in Parbhani district. A Pathan by community, he began his career as a contractor and gradually built contacts with local politicians. The nickname “Gabbar” has stayed with him for years and is now so widely used that many people in the region know him more by that name than his actual one.His political rise began after he became a close associate of former Shiv Sena MP Bhavana Gawali. Through that association, Khan steadily expanded his influence in the region.The turning point came in 2021 when the ED arrested him in connection with alleged irregularities in the Mahila Utkarsha Pratishthan, a trust headed by Gawali. The agency alleged that trust funds worth around Rs 7 crore had been misappropriated and claimed that Khan and others had gained control over the trust through forged documents.Story continues below this adKhan spent more than nine months in jail before securing bail from the Bombay High Court in July 2022.The timing proved significant. Within days of his release, Gawali joined Eknath Shinde’s camp after the Shiv Sena split. Khan too found space in the new political arrangement.Over the next few years, he cultivated close ties with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MP Shrikant Shinde. The party later appointed him as the head of its minority wing, giving him a larger organisational role.There was a brief bump in the relationship before the 2024 Assembly elections. Khan wanted to contest from Pathri but the constituency went to the NCP under the Mahayuti’s seat-sharing formula. Unhappy with the decision, he contested as a Rashtriya Samaj Paksha candidate and polled more than 55,000 votes. Though he lost, the performance demonstrated his influence in the constituency.Soon afterwards, he returned to the Shiv Sena fold.Story continues below this adLocal leaders in Pathri say Khan’s biggest political strength has been his ability to secure government funds and projects for the area. Over the last few years, he has built a strong network across local bodies in Parbhani and neighbouring districts.That influence became visible during the Pathri Municipal Council elections, where the Shiv Sena managed to wrest control of the civic body. Khansuccessfully backed his brother for the post of municipal council president, defeating candidates backed by the camp of veteran local leader Babajani Durrani.The Legislative Council nomination was seen by many in the region as a reward for that organisational work.In the election, Khan secured 242 votes against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vivek Navandar’s 159. Independent candidate Sushilkumar Deshmukh received 56 votes, while eight votes were declared invalid.Story continues below this adThe victory gives the Shinde-led Shiv Sena its first Muslim representative in the Legislative Council, a distinction that carries significance at a time when the party is trying to broaden its social base beyond its traditional support groups.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 MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:shiv sena