Uddhav Thackeray visits slain Pradip Purnekar's home in Thane, tells family he will stand by them

Pradip Purnekar, a divisional chief of the Thackeray faction, was shot and attacked with a sickle in Thane's Manpada area. The political atmosphere in the area has been tense since the killing. On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party chief Uddhav Thackeray went to Purnekar's house and met the family.

The mood in the house was emotional during the visit. Thackeray spoke to Purnekar's wife Vijeta Purnekar, son Ram Purnekar and other family members, and consoled them.

Thackeray advised Purnekar's son and brother to act with a calm mind at this time and not take any step in the heat of emotion. He also assured them that he would stand by the family till the end.

The family, too, appeared emotional. They said Pradip Purnekar had wished that Uddhav Thackeray would visit their home once. The family told Thackeray, "He would have been happy to see you come home today."

The family also raised the investigation into the murder. They demand that the case be probed under court supervision and handed to the CBI.

The family also made a serious claim about names in the FIR. They said, "Initially the police were not ready to register the names of Minakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde in the FIR, but these names were included after Sanjay Raut came."

The Purnekar family also discussed with Thackeray alleged irregularities and the use of money in the Thane Municipal Corporation election. These remain allegations for now, and are yet to be confirmed by an official investigation.

Purnekar's supporters say he had political influence in Manpada, Manorama Nagar and Azad Nagar. They say this is why the effect of his killing is being felt in Thane politics as well.