Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 22: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Thursday escalated his confrontation with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by releasing a purported audio clip in which a woman allegedly claimed that the BJP paid Rs 500 crore to Shinde to pacify Jarange Patil and the Maratha community ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The woman allegedly claimed that the money was routed to Jarange Patil through Shinde's son, Dr Shrikant Shinde, a Lok Sabha MP. The alleged payment was purportedly intended to weaken the activist's agitation for Maratha reservation and win back the community's support.
Addressing a press conference, Jarange Patil played the audio recording, which he claimed contained conversations about efforts to counter his political influence and undermine the credibility of his agitation. The woman allegedly said the BJP was uncertain about the extent of Jarange Patil's support during the elections but had paid him Rs 500 crore through Dr Shrikant Shinde.
Jarange Patil, however, clarified that he had neither received any money nor agreed to abandon his movement for Maratha reservation.
The activist's allegations come against the backdrop of the BJP and Shiv Sena's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, where the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured a significant majority of the state's 48 seats. The BJP and Shiv Sena together won 16 seats, while the MVA secured 31 seats and the remaining seat went to the Nationalist Congress Party.
The recording reportedly also contains discussions about countering Jarange Patil's political narrative, mobilising leaders to criticise him and using social media content to challenge his campaign.
Jarange Patil alleged that attempts were being made to weaken the Maratha reservation movement and create divisions within the community. He urged the state leadership to take the allegations seriously and ensure a thorough investigation.
However, the authenticity of the recording, the identities of the speakers and the context of the alleged conversation have not been independently established. The allegations remain unverified.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has rejected the allegation of a Rs 500-crore deal, asserting that he had neither given nor received such an amount from the BJP. He said he was ready to face any investigation into the matter.
Shinde questioned the basis of Jarange Patil's claims and asked him to verify the information before making serious allegations. He also challenged the activist to submit any evidence to the appropriate authorities so that the truth could emerge.
The controversy began after Jarange Patil raised the Rs 500-crore allegation at his Dussehra rally in Narayangad in Beed district earlier this week. He claimed that senior political leaders had informed him that Shinde had allegedly told BJP leaders about the payment.
Jarange Patil subsequently questioned whether Shinde had made such a claim to the BJP leadership and whether the alleged money had been routed through his son. He later said he possessed evidence and would disclose it at an appropriate time.
Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam questioned why Jarange Patil had waited so long to release the recording if it was genuine. Kadam also claimed that the clip appeared to involve BJP leaders and sought clarity on its contents and context.
He further alleged that the controversy could be part of an attempt to create friction between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, adding another dimension to the political dispute.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called for an investigation into the allegations and urged the appropriate agencies to examine the matter.
The controversy has intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, with the alleged audio recording becoming the latest flashpoint in the dispute over the Maratha reservation movement. The claims and counterclaims are yet to be substantiated through an independent investigation.