CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Supporters of former minister and BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar - who claimed they were back-stabbed in the Jalna district central cooperative bank election held on Saturday - allegedly attacked and damaged the vehicle of former health minister and NCP (Sharad Pawar camp) MLA Rajesh Tope. In the unopposed election, Topes confidante Satish Tope was elected chairman, and Bhimrao Jawale, a close aide of Union minister Raosaheb Danve of BJP, was elected vice-chairman of the bank.Lonikar said it had been decided that the post of the vice-chairman would be given to someone from the Partur-Mantha tehsil.Lonikar claimed that when his supporters went to reason with Tope, an attempt was made to run over them. "Our workers have alleged that Tope tried to run over them with his vehicle, following which, the incident (of attack on Topes vehicle) took place," Lonikar told TOI. A police case has been registered and security beefed up at the residences of Tope and Lonikar. Alleging backstabbing in bank poll, BJP workers attack Topes car in Jalna Tope, meanwhile, said: "Lonikars men coming and targeting my vehicle is condemnable. I had gone there for the felicitation of the winners when this incident took place. In my opinion, I have been targeted without reason. I expect the police to take strict action against the people who attacked the vehicle." Lonikar said given the current political scenario, all political parties had decided to hold the election unopposed. He claimed that a meeting to discuss this was held at the residence of former Shiv Sena minister Arjun Khotkar, and it was attended by him, NCP (Ajit Pawar camp) district president Arvind Chavan and Rajesh Tope. Another meeting was held at his bungalow, and it was attended by Tope and Khotkar. "During this meeting, it was mutually decided that the post of the vice-chairman would be given to Partur-Mantha tehsil. During the election on Saturday, Tope back-stabbed us. When our workers reached out to Tope, there was a heated argument. Our workers have alleged that Tope tried to run over them. After that, the incident (of an attack on Topes vehicle) took place," Lonikar said. Tope too said it had been mutually decided to hold the election unopposed. "It was mutually decided that the post of vice-chairman be given to BJP. When it comes to BJP, the suggestion by Danve, who is a senior, was considered. I even suggested that next time the name suggested by him (Lonikar) should be considered." Lonikar admitted that the glass shields of Topes SUV might have been broken and the vehicle damaged. He offered to pay for the damages - an amount between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh - which was turned down by Tope. "Whatever has happened, has happened, and should be forgiven. There should be peace and harmony in the district. We do not want any friction between BJP and NCP, or between us and Rajesh Tope," said Lonikar. Based on the complaint lodged by Topes driver Krishna Shinde, Sadar Bazaar police have booked three identified and 12 unidentified suspects on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, mischief causing damage, act endangering life or personal safety of others and for committing obscene act. In addition to this, section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act has also been invoked. Jalnas in-charge superintendent of police Shailesh Balkawade told TOI: "We have registered an FIR into the incident of attack on MLA Rajesh Topes vehicle that took place on the premises of the DCC bank and security has been beefed up at the residences of these two politicians." Police have found a bottle containing black coloured oil as well as a wooden stick from near the car.

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