Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Shot Dead In Thane
Purnekar was a hardcore and loyal Shiv Sainik: Reports
MUMBAI: The murder of Shiv Sena UBT leader Pradeep Purnekar in Thane, the stronghold of deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, has caused an uproar in Maharashtra, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stating that the ‘real masterminds’ behind the killing were in the Shinde camp. He alleged that the former Thane mayor Minakshi Shinde from Shinde Sena and her family are responsible for this murder.
Purnekar was a hardcore and loyal Shiv Sainik. He was engaged in a political rivalry with Meenakshi Shinde and had been consistently raising his voice against the builder lobby and drug networks backed by the Shinde camp. He has paid the ultimate price – his life – for this stance. The real masterminds behind his killing are linked to the Shinde faction. Meenakshi Shinde, her family and the gang of goons she has nurtured are responsible for this murder,” said Raut.
Purnekar, a vibhagh pramukh (divisional head) of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his office in Thane’s Manpada area late on Tuesday.
Terming the handling of the Home Department shameful, Raut demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles the Home Department. Purnekar’s killing exposes the utter failure of the Home Department, he said.
“Thane has become a safe haven for criminals and drug mafias. This represents a failure on the part of Devendra Fadnavis and has plunged the future of Thane’s residents into darkness,” he said.
Purnkekar’s family linked Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra Shinde to the murder.
Purnekar’s son Ram claimed that the accused had conducted a recce of the area before the murder and that he saw some of them with Rajendra Shinde shortly before the Ganpati immersion.
“I saw the four accused standing there alongside the former mayor’s husband. Two of the accused even came to my car and inspected it. A recce was conducted before my father’s murder. Two other people, besides myself, witnessed this,” Ram said.