TL;DR: Just ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, has joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. The decision has triggered a storm, with political circles buzzing over the move. Pangarkar, out on bail since September 2024, will now lead the campaign for Jalna constituency, raising questions about ethics in politics and the use of controversial figures for electoral gain.
🛕 Who Is Pangarkar, and Why Is This a Big Deal?
Shrikant Pangarkar, a former Shiv Sena councillor, was arrested in 2018 for allegedly supporting the group responsible for journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder. Lankesh, a fearless journalist, was shot dead outside her Bengaluru home in 2017 for her outspoken views on right-wing extremism. Pangarkar’s Hindutva links and his re-entry into Shinde’s faction ahead of the elections have raised serious eyebrows 🧐.
🎯 Political Move or Ethical Slip?
Shinde’s faction, part of the MahaYuti alliance (comprising BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP), is under fire for giving Pangarkar a key campaign role. Some see this as normalizing extremism for political advantage, while others believe it reflects the desperation for electoral victories 🗳️. Critics argue that mainstreaming someone linked to a murder trial sends the wrong message about accountability and values in politics.
⚖️ What Happens Next?
With elections on November 20, all eyes are on how this move impacts public sentiment. While some loyalists defend Pangarkar as "returning home", others believe it could backfire, especially with Congress’s Kailash Gorantyal currently holding the Jalna seat. Meanwhile, activists and civil society groups continue to demand justice for Gauri Lankesh, calling out the exploitation of communal politics to gain votes.
💬 What’s Your Take?
Is this a bold political strategy, or a troubling sign of declining ethics in politics? Will voters reject such figures, or does power forgive all past wrongs? Let us know your thoughts below! 🗣️
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