Denied party ticket, Sena leader attempts suicide

Sending the political circles in a tizzy last evening, Asmita Sawant, a leader of the Shiv Sena Party, attempted to take her own life by swallowing 20 sleeping pills. While party members have attributed the attempt to personal problems, others sources claimed that she tried to commit suicide as she was upset at not being granted a party ticket for ward no 58, for the upcoming BMC polls.

After it was discovered that she had consumed sleeping tablets, Sawant was rushed to Criticare hospital, where she has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Her stomach was washed to flush out the tablets. Doctors at the hospital have confirmed that Sawant consumed 20 Zolfresh tablets. "We have admitted her to the ICU and are closely monitoring her. She isn't out of danger yet," said Dr Deepak Namjoshi, Criticare hospital.u00a0

"The list of candidates was declared three days ago. Why would she wait for so long to take this step? She holds a very senior post in the party, and corporation elections are hardly of much consequence to her," said a senior party leader.

However, sources whispered that Sawant had wanted a ticket from ward no 58 (Amboli). The ticket eventually went to Jyoti Sutar. A senior party corporator said, "We are trying to contact her family."u00a0Many party leaders rushed to the hospital to show their solidarity.