Accused in Gauri Murder Joins Shiv Sena

Shrikant Pangarkar, previously accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2017, has joined the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ahead of the assembly elections. His involvement with the party aims to spearhead the Jalna assembly poll campaign.

Shrikant Pangarkar, once accused in the high-profile murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, has reignited political discussions by joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction in Maharashtra. This move comes as the assembly elections approach, potentially impacting the political dynamics in the region.

Lankesh, a critic of right-wing extremism, was tragically shot outside her Bengaluru home on September 5, 2017. Investigations, aided by agencies across Karnataka and Maharashtra, resulted in multiple arrests, including Pangarkar, a former Shiv Sena municipal councillor.

Though initially arrested in August 2018, Pangarkar was recently granted bail. Following a decade away from Shiv Sena, he rejoined the party to lead its Jalna assembly campaign, heralding a possible shift in local political alliances as seat negotiations within the ruling Mahayuti coalition continue.

(With inputs from agencies.)