Shrinivas Vanga, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA from Palghar, reconnected with his family early Wednesday after being unreachable for 36 hours. His disappearance occurred shortly after he was denied an Assembly ticket for the upcoming Maharashtra elections, raising concerns among his family and party members.
According to his wife, Suman Vanga, Shrinivas returned home briefly at around 3 AM, met with his family, and left shortly after, citing the need for rest. Vanga had left home on Tuesday without informing anyone and disconnected all communication, prompting his family to file a missing person report. The police initiated a search operation to locate the MLA.
Vanga’s sudden absence followed the announcement that former MP Rajendra Gavit would be contesting from the Palghar constituency, replacing him as the official candidate. Expressing regret, the 42-year-old Vanga admitted that leaving Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena in 2022 was a mistake. He also criticized Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for not honoring commitments to protect loyal party members.
Vanga’s political journey has been marked by setbacks. Following the death of his father, BJP MP Chintamani Vanga, in 2018, Shrinivas Vanga expected to contest the Palghar Lok Sabha by-election. However, the BJP fielded Rajendra Gavit, who won the seat in both 2018 and 2019. In response, Vanga was offered the Palghar Assembly seat.
Maharashtra’s Assembly elections are set for November 20, with the results to be announced on November 23, just days before the current Assembly’s term concludes on November 26.
