Pune, Apr 9 (India Today): Two days after two Shiv Sena party workers were killed in broad daylight, BJP MLA Shivaji Kardile was arrested today in connection with the double murder.

His son-in-law and NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap was detained early on Sunday morning by Ahmednagar Police on charges of hatching the murder plot.

NCP MLA Arun Jagtap and Kardile were earlier booked for their involvement in plotting the murder.

According to district Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjan Sharma, Kedgaon city's Shiv Sena chief Sanjay Kotkar and Sena party member Vasant Thube were first shot from close range and then attacked with a sharp weapon while they were travelling near Kedgaon.

Shortly after the incident, one Sandeep Gunjal surrendered at Parner Taluka police station. He even handed over a sharp weapon and revolver. He admitted that he murdered the duo over a personal vendetta and that Jagtap did not have any part to play in it.

Police sources said that Sangram Kotkar, son of Sanjay Kotkar, alleged the three MLAs had threatened his father with dire consequences for helping a Shiv Sena candidate in the recently-concluded Nagar Muncipal Corporation bypolls. When Sangram Jagtap was brought to the SP's office, his supporters ransacked the window panes there and carried their leader on their shoulders while shouting slogans.

Twenty seven others have been booked for ransacking the SP's office and attacking police personnel on duty.

Over all around 82 people have been booked, out of which 27 have been arrested and rest are said to be absconding.

Word doing the rounds is that the three MLAs are close relatives and were against the Shiv Sena fielding a candidate against their relative Vishal Kotkar who is from Congress party.

The bypoll result was a very close contest with Vishal Kotkar getting 2,306 while opponent Sanjay Kotkar (the one who was murdered) got 1,830 votes. So the victory margin was just 476 votes.

If relatives of the deceased and Shiv Sena party workers are to be believed, this murder was the result of political rivalry and animosity where the slain duo dared to contest against the accused relative.

Three Shiv Sena leaders - Deepak Kesakar, Divakar Ravatey and Ramdas Kadam - were in the city to see to it that the accused were arrested. Additional DG of Maharashtra Bipin Bihari is also in the city.