Shrikant Pangarkar contested from Ward No. 13 and defeated his closest rival, Raosaheb Dhoble of the BJP. Pangarkar secured 2,661 votes, while Dhoble received 2,477 votes, according to a polling official
Shrikant Pangarkar contested the election as an Independent candidate from Ward No. 13. File Pic
Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, has been elected as a corporator to the Jalna Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra, reported the PTI.
The results were declared on Friday as counting continued for elections held across 29 civic bodies in the state.
The Maharashtra civic poll results are scheduled to be announced later in the day.
Shrikant Pangarkar contested the election as an Independent candidate from Ward No. 13.
He secured victory by defeating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Raosaheb Dhoble. According to election officials, Pangarkar polled 2,661 votes, while Dhoble received 2,477 votes, according to the PTI.
With the exception of the Shiv Sena, most major political parties had fielded candidates against Pangarkar in the ward.
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Gauri Lankesh murder case
Gauri Lankesh, a prominent journalist and outspoken critic of right-wing extremism, was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru on 5 September 2017. Her killing sparked nationwide outrage and renewed debates on press freedom and political violence in India.
In August 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested Pangarkar under provisions of the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was later granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4, 2024.
Pangarkar’s political career
Pangarkar previously served as a member of the Jalna Municipal Council between 2001 and 2006, during the period when the Shiv Sena was still undivided. After being denied a party ticket in 2011, he joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, as per the PTI.
BJP poised to control Jalna civic body
Meanwhile, the BJP is moving towards gaining control of the Jalna Municipal Corporation. In the 65-member civic body, the BJP is leading in 41 seats.
The BJP, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) contested the elections separately. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance—comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and the Congress—fought the polls together.
65 candidates in 10 civic bodies declared elected unopposed
Meanwhile, a total of 65 candidates from ten municipal corporations in Maharashtra were declared elected unopposed ahead of elections held on January 15, the State Election Commission (SEC) said on Friday, reported the PTI.
The data was shared on a day when the counting of votes for 29 civic bodies, which went to polls on Thursday, was underway.
The BJP topped the list of unopposed candidates with 43, followed by ally Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena (18 candidates), the Nationalist Congress Party (2), an Independent, and a candidate of the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra.
(with PTI inputs)
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