Accused In Journalist Gauri Lankesh Murder Case Joins Shinde Sena In Jalna Ahead Of Polls – News18

Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, has joined Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Jalna ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls.

Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Karnataka capital Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. A probe by police in Karnataka with assistance from agencies in Maharashtra led to the arrest of several persons.

Pangarkar, a Jalna municipal councillor of the undivided Shiv Sena between 2001 and 2006, was arrested in August 2018. He was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4 this year.

After he was denied a ticket by the Shiv Sena in 2011, Pangarkar joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.

He joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Friday in the presence of party leader and former state minister Arjun Khotkar.

“Pangarkar is a former Shiv Sainik and has returned to the party. He has been nominated as the chief of the Jalna assembly poll campaign,” Khotkar told reporters.

Khotkar also said he wants to contest the assembly poll from Jalna, but added seat sharing discussions in the Mahayuti (ruling alliance comprising Shiv Sena, BJP, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP) were still underway.

Congress’ Kailash Gorantyal holds the seat.

Maharashtra assembly polls will be held on November 20, and results will be declared on November 23. The current assembly’s term ends on November 26.

(With PTI inputs)