Mumbai: A purported audio recording released by Maratha reservation agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra, with allegations that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid Rs 500 crore to weaken the movement.
Maharashtra is currently governed by the ‘Mahayuti’ alliance under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP. Ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, the Maratha quota agitation had intensified across the state.
According to the audio clip shared by Jarange Patil, a woman is heard claiming that the BJP side provided Rs 500 crore to Shinde, the Shiv Sena leader and current Deputy CM, to be handed over to Jarange Patil. The clip further alleges that arrangements were made through Shinde’s son, Lok Sabha MP Srikant Shinde.
At a press conference, Jarange Patil denied taking any money and said he had not abandoned the agitation. He claimed the recording points to a conspiracy to reduce his political influence and split the Maratha reservation movement, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Fadnavis to order an immediate detailed inquiry.
Shinde, however, dismissed the allegations, saying he neither received Rs 500 crore from the BJP nor gave any such amount to anyone. He asked Jarange Patil to submit evidence if available and said he is prepared to face any investigation.
