Maharashtra Minister under-reported properties in election affidavit: Congress

Launching an attack against Maharashtra Minister Ranjit Patil, Congress on Sunday alleged that he had under-reported property details in the election affidavit in 2010.

An RTI activist Vikrant Kate had alleged on Saturday that Patil's name appeared in the electoral lists of two Assembly constituencies. This charge was denied by Patil, who is the Minister of State for Home and is believed to be close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Sachin Sawant claimed that in Patil's election affidavit in 2010, the minister has shown only three properties when he had more in his name.

"In the affidavit, Patil had shown properties in name of his daughter and son as nil. However, land records of the ministers properties show otherwise," Sawant claimed.

He also alleged that Patil had given money from his MLC fund to Payushni Educational Trust even though he himself was the trustee.

"It is upto the Legislative Council Chairman to decide if donating funds to own organisation is as per rules," the MPCC spokesperson said.