New Delhi: Shrinivas Vanga, the missing Palghar MLA from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, who was upset about not receiving a ticket for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections and had left home after turning off both his phones, has still not been found.
More than 20 hours have passed since he has remained untraceable. The Crime Branch and Palghar police are investigating the matter.
Family members worried
In fact, Vanga is one of the MLAs who supported Shinde during his rebellion, but despite that, he was not given a ticket. A video of him crying had also gone viral, showcasing his displeasure with the party. It has been over 20 hours since he left home without informing anyone. Since Shrinivas has still not returned, it has raised concerns about his whereabouts and well-being among his family members.
Police officials are currently searching for him. Visuals from Vanga’s house showed cops stationed outside. Shiv Sena had announced that former MP Rajendra Gavit would be the party’s candidate for Palghar, while ignoring Vanga.
According to reports, Vanga had voiced his regret, during a media interaction, on Monday about leaving Uddhav Thackeray’s faction after the 2022 Shiv Sena split. He held Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responsible for failing to shield loyal party members and admitted that joining Shinde faction was a mistake. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has spoken to Vanga’s wife over telephone, NDTV reported.
Initially, the Shinde faction had thought of fielding Vanga from Palghar but later gave the ticket to Rajendra Gavit after the seat-sharing pact with the BJP. Gavit, a former BJP leader, had recently rejoined Shinde’s Sena.
The emotional response from Vanga following the denial of ticket has put a question mark over the alleged internal rift within the Shinde faction.
What he said during media interaction
On Monday, Vanga pointed out that he left a “god-like person (Uddhav Thackeray) for Shinde and now I have been betrayed”. He claimed he was assured that all incumbent MLAs would be fielded again in this election. Yet, the ticket for Palghar has been allotted to former MP Rajdendra Gavit. During the media interaction, a teary-eyed Vanga said he was “paying the price for being loyal”.
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