My pro-CAA letter is fake, says Sena MP

Shiv Sena MP from Hingoli, Hemant Patil, on Thursday said a letter pledging his support to the recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which is currently being circulated, is fake.

Patil's response came a day after media reports claimed the Sena MP had written to the administration in support of the CAA and the need for its implementation in his constituency.

Patil said another letter written by him for a different purpose was being misused to tarnish his image.

“I have not written such a letter. A letter issued by me for railway reservations has been manipulated for misuse,” said Patil.

Sena supported the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha but staged a walkout during the voting on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Party supremo and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray later stated, his party's stand on the matter was conditional.

Earlier this week, the collector's office at Hingoli received a letter pledging Patil's support to the CAA. The letter also expressed regret for not attending a pro-CAA rally held in his constituency. Further, photos of the letter were widely circulated on WhatsApp and other social media, giving rise to speculation. “I have lodged a complaint with the police and also seeked legal help. I am sure the culprit will be found soon,” added Patil.

However, it’s not Hemant Patil alone who is caught in pro-CAA row. Earlier on Tuesday Sena MLA from Aurangabad's Kalamnuri was present at a pro-CAA rally.