Shiv Sena legislator Nilesh Rane accused BJP of attempting to distribute cash to influence voters ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls, scheduled for December 2
Nilesh Rane accused BJP of attempting to distribute cash to influence voters. File Pic
Shiv Sena leader Nilesh Rane's cash distribution allegations have sparked friction between the BJP and Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections.
Shiv Sena legislator Nilesh Rane accused BJP of attempting to distribute cash to influence voters ahead of the civic polls scheduled for December 2. In response, Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan stated that he would address the claims at a later date but emphasised his intent to preserve the Mahayuti alliance until the first phase of local body elections, reported the PTI.
Nilesh Rane alleged that Chavan, during a visit to Sindhudurg district, facilitated the distribution of money to sway voters in areas such as Kankavali Municipal Council and Malvan Nagar Panchayat, which are among the urban local bodies voting in the first phase. Nilesh’s brother, Nitesh Rane (BJP MLA), is contesting in opposition to him in the council polls, according to the PTI.
On Wednesday evening, Nilesh Rane claimed to have conducted a ‘sting operation’ at the residence of BJP worker Vijay Kenawadekar in Kankavali, accusing him of storing cash intended for voter inducement. Videos of the incident were shared on social media, and Nilesh approached the police to register an FIR.
Chavan refrained from directly responding to the allegations, saying, “I want to save the alliance until December 2. I will respond to the allegations later.” He added that the opposition was unsettled and highlighted a case filed by Nilesh Rane against a BJP candidate concerning a caste certificate, the news agency reported.
The issue is further complicated by the families’ political history.
While Nilesh Rane is a Shiv Sena MLA, his younger brother Nitesh is a BJP minister.
Previously, Nilesh had announced his retirement from politics, prompting then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to send Chavan to appease him.
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of party chief and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, declined to comment on the BJP chief’s remarks about the alliance, reported the PTI.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leaders, including Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Nitesh Rane, defended the BJP worker and questioned the appropriateness of Nilesh Rane entering a private residence for a sting operation. Bawankule emphasised that legal scrutiny would determine whether the money was linked to business activity or election malpractice, with appropriate action to follow if wrongdoing is found, as per the PTI.
Election officials and police visited Kenawadekar’s residence to investigate, with the worker maintaining that the cash was for legitimate business purposes.
The first phase of civic polls in Maharashtra, covering 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats, is set for December 2.
(with PTI inputs)
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