Mumbai: The Shiv Sena leadership has washed its hand of former Jalna corporator Shrikant Pangarkar, who has been arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for allegedly providing financial assistance to Vaibhav Raut, one of the three right-wing activists recently arrested for plotting statewide attacks and possessing illegal arms and crude bombs. Sena minister of state and leader from Jalna, Arjun Khotkar, said that Pangarkar is not active in the party since 2011.

Mr Khotkar said that the party has denied him ticket in local body election in 2011 and since then he has no relation with the party. Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has reminded Sena of supporting the Sanatan Sanstha in past has come to haunt it now. Pangarkar was elected twice at Jalna municipal council on Sena’s ticket. He was elected from Bhagya Nagar area of Jalna in 2001 and 2006.

Mr Khotkar denied having any links with Pangarkar now. “It is true that he was associated with Sena, but after denying ticket in 2011, he had ceased all contacts with us. Since then, he was not in Sena, so it would be wrong to blame Sena in this case.” He further added that Sena wont have any influence in the investigation of the Dabholkar and other murder cases, as they don’t supports such acts.

Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik reminded Sena of its support to Sanatan Sanstha. “Sena has supported Sanatan many-a-times, despite Sanatan men been arrested in many anti-social acts. Now, one former Sena activist has been arrested by ATS. Sena should stop supporting such thoughts, otherwise many of its activists would come under such influence,” said Mr Malik.