Surat: The BJP's six-time MLA from Umargam and former minister of state, Raman Patkar, sparked a controversy when he said that he gives financial assistance to candidates in village panchayat elections, in a speech on Friday.A video of his controversial address later went viral. Patkar later told mediapersons, "We understand the model code of conduct for elections, but elections cannot be contested without money now. As an MLA, people expect support from us, and we help them." Patkar further spoke about alleged irregularities in land dealings involving some 2,500 acres. When asked to elaborate, he described how bogus documents were made for these land parcels and how people from Surat made deals involving them. Patkar went to Padgam village in Umargam taluka with other BJP leaders, where he addressed villagers over a loudspeaker. In his speech, he appealed to villagers to vote for the candidate supported by the BJP. He further said that winners from the ruling party receive funds for development works. "I do not participate in village panchayat elections. I give money to candidates, but the other candidate contesting here did not come, so it is clear he is not going to be with us.

Who will give him money if he is not going to be with us?" Patkar said in his speech. When asked about the claims in the video, Patkar told mediapersons, "I give financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 to candidates. We do not do anything that harms the village or the party." He then spoke on how land deals were carried out using bogus papers and that he took action to ensure that bogus papers and entries in govt records were removed. Patkar also said that village panchayat elections are not contested on party symbols. "But a lot of funds come for village development and many candidates contest the election now. My taluka panchayat member took me there (to the village)," he added.