Make allegedly linked ministers’ names public in Kharat case, Bawankule tells Patole

Pune: State revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday challenged senior Congress functionary Nana Patole and said that if he has the courage, Patole should immediately reveal the names of four ministers he alleged are linked to arrested astrologer Ashok Kharat.Bawankule was speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the Bharati Vidyapeeth foundation day ceremony in the city on Sunday. He said, "Since Kharat is safe in police custody and there is no threat to his life, Patole should fearlessly make the ministers' names public."He reiterated, "Patole is not someone who indulges in blackmail. He is an educated person and belongs to our Vidarbha region. He should reveal the names of the ministers and make it a big story."The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary also said that if former Maharashtra State Women's Commission chief Rupali Chakankar had been called by the special investigation team (SIT) for questioning, it is a part of the probe process and the police will present their position on the same at the appropriate time.Bawankule further referred to the recent Nashik alleged harassment and religious coercion case and said that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has already shared details after the arrest of a key accused woman, adding that the police would also brief the media about the investigation via a press conference.Regarding the Saturday morning ink attack on NCP (SP) spokesperson Vikas Lawande, Bawankule said he does not have much information about any alleged BJP support in the incident. "I was travelling throughout the previous day, and it would be appropriate to first gather complete information before commenting on the matter," he said.