The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Maharashtra): The Congress party has taken action against Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the Maharashtra BJP chief, for allegedly making misleading statements about MP Navneet Rana’s legal situation. In a video, Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe charged that Bawankule inaccurately stated that the Supreme Court had ruled on a case concerning Rana’s caste validity certificate. This case is significant as Rana, who is slated to contest the Amravati Lok Sabha seat for the BJP, faces allegations regarding the authenticity of her caste certificate.
Rana, initially elected as an independent candidate in 2019, joined the BJP in a move announced by Bawankule, who also declared her as the BJP’s candidate for Amravati. The Congress has raised concerns that Bawankule’s comments might constitute contempt of court and breach the model code of conduct since the Supreme Court has yet to issue a verdict on Rana’s appeal against the Bombay High Court’s decision, which invalidated her caste certificate and fined her for fraudulent documentation.
This controversy has prompted the Congress to seek legal repercussions against Bawankule, including a case registration for his remarks. They have filed complaints with both the Election Commission and the Supreme Court and plan to pursue a court petition regarding the matter. This situation underscores the intense scrutiny candidates face regarding their eligibility and integrity, impacting the electoral landscape and party reputations.