Sanjay (34), his father Sadashiv Konde (59), brother Dhananjay (36) and friend Abhijit Jadhav (19) were arrested on Saturday, the police said. The four are suspected to have murdered Takawale over long-standing political rivalry. Sanjay, deputy chief of the Pune district unit of the Shiv Sena, and his accomplices allegedly eliminated Takawale because of the Congress worker's increasing clout in Shukrawar Peth, the police said.

Takawale was found hacked to death on Shivaji Road early on September 25. An autorickshaw driver had noticed Takawale's blood-soaked body lying in front of Vanraj Ganesh Mandal's temple near Yadav Vyapar Bhavan.

Takawale, who had left his house for his stationery shop located near theShivaji Maratha School, was apparently killed while performing the daily pooja. He bore deep stab wounds on his head, face, stomach and legs.

Takawale's cousin had filed a First Information Report with the Khadak police expressing suspicion that the murder was a fallout of political rivalry. Investigators also suspected Sanjay's involvement in view of his rivalry with Takawale. Sanjay, Dhananjay, Sadashiv and Abhijit had moved an application seeking anticipatory bail on September 28 but the plea was turned down.