Bawankule’s statement on Rana related matter is misleading, Congress writes letter to EC, SC

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Congress Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday wrote a letter to the Election Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court, accusing him of making misleading statements in the case related to MP Navneet Rana, PTI reported.

According to PTI, Congress has claimed that this statement is contempt of court and violation of the model code of conduct.

According to PTI, in a video message, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe alleged that Chandrashekhar Bawankule had claimed that the Supreme Court had given its verdict on the caste validity certificate case related to Rana.

Navneet Rana, who currently represents Amravati Lok Sabha seat, joined the ruling BJP at Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s residence in Maharashtra’s Nagpur along with her supporters late on Wednesday night.

According to PTI, the BJP announced her name as the party’s candidate for the Amravati seat and Chandrashekhar Bawankule said she would file her election nomination on April 4.

Atul Londhe claimed that Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s statement was misleading as the Supreme Court has not yet given any decision on Rana’s caste validity certificate case and the matter is still sub-judice. The news agency reported on Thursday that the statement amounts to contempt of court and violation of the model code of conduct.

While Congress has demanded registration of a case against Chandrashekhar Bawankule and given a written complaint against him to the Election Commission and the Supreme Court, Atul Londhe said his party will also file a petition in the court in this matter.

Navneet Rana had won in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections As an independent candidate against Anandrao Adsul, then MP of undivided Shiv Sena from Amravati constituency in Maharashtra. However, he was soon accused of submitting fake caste certificates, as PTI reported.

On June 8, 2021, the Bombay High Court said that the ‘Mochi’ caste certificate submitted by Navneet Rana was obtained fraudulently using fake documents. Besides, a fine of Rs 2 lakh was also imposed on him.

Last month, the Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on his plea challenging the High Court’s decision to cancel his caste certificate.

(With PTI inputs)