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Journalism of Courage
An FIR was registered at the Malvan police station on Friday against Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane on the charge of trespassing on a BJP supporter’s house, days after the legislator alleged bags of cash meant for distribution to voters were found there during his “sting operation”.
The complaint was filed by BJP worker Vijay Kenavadekar, who alleged Rane barged inside his home in Malwan and the money found in his house was for ‘business’ and had nothing to do with the local body elections.
The complaint was filed days after Sena MLA Nilesh Rane alleged that the BJP was bribing voters with money to wrest political control and win the local body elections in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. To substantiate his charges, Rane circulated a video claiming that he conducted a “sting operation” by entering Kenavadekar’s residence at Malvan in Sindhudurg district and found bags of cash, which he said were unearthed shortly after BJP president Ravindra Chavan’s Konkan tour. Chavan, however, dismissed the charge as baseless and claimed the Sena was irked as the BJP did not ally with it in Malvan. Rane approached the local police station on Thursday, seeking registration of an FIR.
Responding to the police complaint on Saturday, Nilesh Rane said, “I exposed the BJP activist who had bags of money. An FIR has been filed against me even as the money was found at someone else’s house and those who are doing wrong are walking free. Even if the BJP files 10 such cases, I will not be intimidated and continue to raise my voice against them.”
Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane came out in support of Nilesh Rane, who is his elder brother. Speaking in Sindhudurg on Saturday, Nitesh Rane questioned why Shiv Sena leaders chose to distance themselves from him after the police case. “The Shiv Sena has deliberately used Nilesh Rane to speak against the BJP. Why is no other Sena leader saying a word on the matter,” said Nitesh Rane claiming that a deliberate attempt is being made to isolate his brother within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, “The question is how could Nilesh Rane barge into someone’s home. Is it appropriate to go into somebody’s bedroom and call it a sting operation? The entire issue should be investigated and the facts should be brought out.”
The Malvan Municipal Council polls will see the Shiv Sena and BJP contest against each other, highlighting the growing friction between the ruling alliance partners at the local level.
(With inputs from PTI)
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