Maharashtra Assembly Polls MLA Shrinivas Vanga Denied Ticket By Shinde Remains ‘Untraceable’ After Crying On Camera

Shiv Sena’s sitting MLA from Palghar Shrinivas Vanga, missing since Monday evening, remained untraceable, as per his family members. Vanga, the only sitting MLA denied a ticket for the Maharashtra Assembly elections by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, was upset. Vanga’s family has so far not filed any police complaint even though he has been incommunicado since Monday evening.

A senior police official from Palghar on Wednesday morning said there was no update on Vanga’s whereabouts as of now. Vanga on Monday told reporters that he committed a “grave mistake” by siding with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and joining his party.

Videos of Vanga’s emotional responses have since gone viral on social media and news channels. Vanga had also described Shinde’s rival and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray as a “dev manus” (God-like man).

Srinivas Vanga is the son of late BJP MP Chintaman Vanga. He became an MLA after winning the 2019 assembly elections as a candidate of undivided Shiv Sena from the Palghar (Scheduled Tribes) seat. Shrinivas Vanga supported Shinde after splitting with Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022. 

Shinde’s Sena nominated former MP Rajendra Gavit, who also sided with Shinde when he rebelled against Thackeray. Vanga’s family members had expressed concern over his present state of mind. They had claimed that he had not only stopped interacting with them and having food, but was also crying and threatening to harm his own life.

CM Shinde had reportedly contacted Vanga’s wife, assuring her that her husband would be considered for a role as a member of the state legislative council. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.