Denied party ticket, Sena leader attempts suicide

Sending the political circles in a tizzy last evening, Asmita Sawant, a leader of the Shiv Sena Party, attempted to take her own life by swallowing 20 sleeping pills. While party members have attributed the attempt to personal problems, others sources claimed that she tried to commit suicide as she was upset at not being granted a party ticket for ward no 58, for the upcoming BMC polls.

After it was discovered that she had consumed sleeping tablets, Sawant was rushed to Criticare hospital, where she has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Her stomach was washed to flush out the tablets. Doctors at the hospital have confirmed that Sawant consumed 20 Zolfresh tablets. "We have admitted her to the ICU and are closely monitoring her. She isn't out of danger yet," said Dr Deepak Namjoshi, Criticare hospital.u00a0

Medical care for Sawant was delayed, as she was only brought to the hospital a few hours after she consumed the tablets, when she started showing the effects of the high dosage.u00a0

Rumours have been swirling that Sawant, who an Upvibhag Pramukh in the Shiv Sena, tried to commit suicide because she was denied a ticket from ward no 58, which is reserved for female OBC candidates. Party leaders however, denied that this could be the incident that triggered the suicide attempt, and insisted that Sawant had tried to take her life as she was battling personal problems.u00a0

"The list of candidates was declared three days ago. Why would she wait for so long to take this step? She holds a very senior post in the party, and corporation elections are hardly of much consequence to her," said a senior party leader.

However, sources whispered that Sawant had wanted a ticket from ward no 58 (Amboli). The ticket eventually went to Jyoti Sutar. A senior party corporator said, "We are trying to contact her family."u00a0Many party leaders rushed to the hospital to show their solidarity.