In a significant political development, Shrikant Pangarkar, a name linked to the high-profile 2017 murder case of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, has decided to enter the electoral fray. He will contest the upcoming election for the Jalna Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra as an independent candidate.
From Accused to Aspiring Corporator
Shrikant Pangarkar is set to run from Ward 13 in the civic polls scheduled for January 15. His candidature introduces a complex dynamic into the local election, as he will face opponents from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several other political outfits. Notably, the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has chosen not to field a candidate in this particular ward.
Pangarkar's political journey has seen several twists. He attempted to join the Shiv Sena ahead of the November 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. However, his induction into the party was put on hold by Eknath Shinde following a significant public outcry over his alleged background.
A Political and Legal Timeline
Pangarkar is not a newcomer to local governance. He previously served as a member of the Jalna Municipal Council from 2001 to 2006, representing the undivided Shiv Sena. After being denied a ticket in the 2011 elections, he shifted his allegiance to the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.
His legal troubles are substantial. In August 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested him in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons from various locations across the state. For this, he was booked under the stringent Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Most notably, Pangarkar is an accused in the murder case of Gauri Lankesh. The editor of the Kannada weekly "Gauri Lankesh Patrike" was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. The killing triggered nationwide outrage and intense debates on freedom of expression and intolerance. The Karnataka Police identified 18 suspects and arrested 17 in connection with the case, with the trial commencing in May 2022.
In a key legal relief, the Karnataka High Court granted bail to Pangarkar in this murder case in September 2024, paving the way for his current political move.
Implications and Public Scrutiny
Pangarkar's decision to contest elections is certain to draw intense public and media scrutiny. It brings the spotlight back on the sensitive Gauri Lankesh murder case and raises questions about the intersection of serious legal charges and electoral politics in India. The development in Jalna is being closely watched, as it tests the political narrative and public memory surrounding one of the country's most controversial crimes against a journalist.
The election outcome in Ward 13 will now be measured not just by local governance issues, but also by the electorate's response to a candidate with such a contentious legal profile.
