Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 22: A political storm has erupted in Maharashtra as Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday levelled sensational allegations against the ruling Mahayuti alliance, claiming that four of its ministers were caught in a honey trap allegedly orchestrated by one Prafulla Lodha, who was arrested the same day by Mumbai Police for sexually assaulting a woman and two minors.

Raut, taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), posted a photograph of Lodha with BJP minister Girish Mahajan and questioned the BJP’s silence over the matter. “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed in the Assembly that no honey trap exists in Maharashtra. Then what is this photo? Order a CBI inquiry, and the truth will be out. Four ministers and several officials have been trapped,” Raut wrote.

He further alleged that two of the trapped ministers are from the BJP and accused the ruling party of using Lodha to target opposition leaders—a plan that, he claimed, has now “boomeranged” on them.

Raut also alleged that the same honey trap racket was previously used to destabilize the MVA government, saying that around 16–17 Shiv Sena MLAs and four MPs were targeted through the racket, which he claims originated in Delhi. “Tomorrow’s Saamna editorial will reveal more,” Raut said cryptically.

In response, Minister Girish Mahajan dismissed the allegations as baseless and retaliated by showing photographs of Lodha with various political leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Jayant Patil, and Prakash Ambedkar. “A photograph doesn’t prove association. Lodha may have clicked pictures with several leaders during public events over the years. That doesn’t mean he is linked to any party,” Mahajan said.

Mahajan also responded to allegations made by former BJP leader and current NCP (SP) MLA Eknath Khadse, who claimed that Lodha had threatened Mahajan in a video, and that the two had fallen out due to a personal dispute. Khadse further said that Lodha possessed damaging evidence against Mahajan.

In a strong rebuttal, Mahajan called Khadse “mentally unstable” and accused him of making “wild accusations” after being denied re-entry into the BJP. “This is the same Lodha who had demanded an inquiry into Khadse’s son’s death. His statements cannot be taken seriously,” Mahajan said.

Meanwhile, Ajit Chavan, co-chief spokesperson of the BJP, distanced the party from Lodha, stating, “Lodha is not part of our organisation. Anyone can take photos with leaders who are accessible to the public. He had even made statements against our own leaders, proving he is not aligned with us.”

With Raut demanding a CBI inquiry, and the BJP denying any link to Lodha, the controversy has added another layer of political intrigue in Maharashtra ahead of crucial electoral battles. All eyes are now on the expected editorial from Saamna, which may add further twists to an already explosive issue.