Jalna Municipal Corporation polls: Gauri Lankesh murder accused Shrikant Pangarkar wins as Independent

Journalist Gauri Lankesh murder accused, Shrikant Pangarkar, who contested as an independent candidate, won the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections. He soon celebrated the win along with his supporters. Pangarkar, who contested from Ward 13, won the election by a margin of 2,621 votes.

Meanwhile, the BJP is leading in 27 wards as the Maharashtra Municipal Elections count is underway. Pangarkar won the election even when the BJP and other rival parties had fielded their candidates. However, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena did not field a candidate in the ward.

Ahead of the November 2024 assembly polls, Pangarkar had joined the Shiv Sena. 

Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her Bengaluru residence on September 5, 2017. A nationwide protest and debate were triggered after the murder. In connection with the murder case, he was granted bail by the Karnataka HC on September 4, 2024. 

Speaking after his victory, he said that there was no conviction against him, and the case is still underway. 

Previously, Pangarkar had been a member of the Jalna Municipal Council when the Shiv Sena was a united front. After the party denied him a ticket in 2011, he joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti. 

Pangarkar was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons from across the state. He was also booked under the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Ahead of the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Pangarkar briefly joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. Following widespread criticism, his induction was put on hold.