TL;DR:Ā Just ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case, has joined Eknath Shindeās 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 JalnaĀ constituency, raising questions about ethics in politicsĀ and the use of controversial figures for electoral gain.
š Who Is Pangarkar, and Why Is This a Big Deal?
Shrikant Pangarkar, a former Shiv Sena councillor, was arrested in 2018Ā for allegedly supporting the group responsible for journalist Gauri Lankeshās murder. Lankesh, a fearless journalist, was shot dead outside her Bengaluru home in 2017 for her outspoken views on right-wing extremism. Pangarkarās Hindutva linksĀ and his re-entry into Shindeās faction ahead of the elections have raised serious eyebrows š§.
šÆ Political Move or Ethical Slip?
Shindeās faction, part of the MahaYuti allianceĀ (comprising BJP and Ajit Pawarās NCP), is under fire for giving Pangarkar a key campaign role. Some see this as normalizing extremismĀ for political advantage, while others believe it reflects the desperation for electoral victoriesĀ š³ļø. Critics argue that mainstreaming someone linked to a murder trialĀ sends the wrong message about accountabilityĀ and values in politics.
āļø 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 Congressās Kailash GorantyalĀ currently holding the Jalna seat. Meanwhile, activists and civil society groupsĀ continue to demand justice for Gauri Lankesh, calling out the exploitation of communal politicsĀ to gain votes.
š¬ Whatās 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! š£ļø
