The Rajkot Lok Sabha seat is yet again embroiled in controversy after an attempt to create tensions between Leuva and Kadva Patels was made through distribution of provocative pamphlets.

Shockingly, the name of Congress candidate Paresh Dhanani’s brother, Sharad Dhanani, is doing the rounds in the pamphlet case, as per reports.

Caste politics is at the forefront in Rajkot as two contenders from different subcastes of the Patidar community, Leuva and Kadva Patel, are set to contest on May 7.

Mukesh Patel, Rajkot district BJP president, informed Rajkot police about the provocative pamphlets doing the rounds on social media to incite tensions between Leuva and Kadva Patels.

The pamphlets circulating on social media reportedly had slogans of ‘Jago Leuva Patel Jago’.

Based on the complaint, the Rajkot police commissioner has initiated an investigation.

Regarding the controversy, Rajkot A Division Police Inspector D M Haripara said, “Four youths from the Patidar community have been detained. CCTV footage of the area where the pamphlets were distributed has been obtained. Investigation is under way to find the person behind the printing of the pamphlets.”

After a complaint lodged by Mahesh Pipariya, four accused, namely Ketan Tala, Prakash Vejapara, Vipul Tarapara, and Deep Bhanderi were arrested by Rajkot police at 11.50 pm on May 3.

All the accused have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 153 (provocation that can lead to rioting), 188 (public safety at stake), 114 (abettor present at the time of offence), and Sections 125 (promoting enmity in connection with an election) and 127A(4) (publishing pamphlets without mentioning their origin) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. 

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