• Source:JND
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Hours after Shiv Sena announced that Shrikant Pangarkar had rejoined the party and would lead the assembly campaign in Jalna, it faced severe backlash from the public due to his alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh. Following this backlash, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took immediate action by revoking Pangarkar's appointment.

In a statement from the Chief Minister's office, it was announced that all of Pangarkar's district-level appointments in Jalna have been declared 'null and void Shinde stressed that any party positions granted to Pangarkar would be suspended, highlighting the government's awareness of public sentiment on this serious matter.

Shiv Sena faced backlash when Shrikant Pangarkar, a former Shiv Sainik, was reappointed to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Friday, alongside senior party member Arjun Khotkar. Khotkar welcomed Pangarkar back, stating, “Pangarkar is a former Shiv Sainik and has returned to the party. He has been appointed as the chief of the Jalna Assembly poll campaign.” However, this announcement faced immediate backlash from multiple sources, prompting Shinde to swiftly evaluate the situation.

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Prior to his arrest in 2018, Pangarkar was a municipal councillor in Jalna from 2001 to 2006, but he left the Shiv Sena in 2011 after failing to secure an election ticket. His recent return to the Shiv Sena has sparked significant criticism and demands for accountability, prompting the party to reevaluate its decision.

Pangarkar's Arrest And Bail In Gauri Lankesh Murder Case

Gauri Lankesh, a well-known journalist, was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on September 5, 2017. The Karnataka Police, with assistance from agencies in Maharashtra, conducted the investigation, which resulted in the arrest of several suspects, including former Jalna municipal councillor Shankar Pangarkar, who was part of the undivided Shiv Sena from 2001 to 2006. 

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Pangarkar was arrested in August 2018 and, after a lengthy legal process, was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4, 2023.

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