Mumbai: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde has dismissed the claim that Rs 500 crore was routed through him to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, while Jarange has pressed Maharashtra’s top leaders to investigate what he describes as a deliberate attempt to discredit him and derail his reservation campaign.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Saturday, Shrikant, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, said he had not received any such amount and was himself trying to trace the person mentioned in the viral recording. “I am also looking for the man who was given Rs 500 crore…. The money did not even reach me. I have the same question as Jarange,” he said.
Taking a sarcastic dig at the allegation, he added: “We were wondering how would (a stash of) Rs 500 crore look and how many vehicles it would need (to transport).”
Shrikant said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry and that its findings would make the situation clear, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Jarange Demands Action
Jarange, who released the purported audio clip on Thursday, reiterated that the recording was authentic and asked Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde to uncover those behind the controversy. He said no person found responsible should be spared and sought the questioning of Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam.
The activist claimed the clip exposed a conspiracy to silence him and weaken the Maratha reservation movement. He alleged that he was being targeted for raising the concerns of farmers and common people.
“We have revealed the things (hidden) behind the curtain. In fact, we have torn the curtain. Leaders of all political parties have woken up because of this, which is important for me. I will be going to the root of this case,” Jarange said.
He further alleged that people from the camps of Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis were encouraging others to defame him. “Those from the camps of Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis are encouraging people to defame us,” he said.
Questions Over Clip’s Source
Jarange questioned how Kadam had accessed the recording and why it emerged only now, although it was allegedly from October 14, 2024, ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. He claimed Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam held the complete recording but released only the portion referring to Shrikant Shinde.
The purported conversation, said to involve BJP functionaries, includes a woman claiming that Rs 500 crore was delivered to Jarange through Shrikant Shinde. The speakers also allegedly discuss checking Jarange’s rising political clout in Marathwada before the 2024 state polls.
Kadam had earlier alleged that some BJP leaders were working with Manoj Jarange to politically weaken Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The authenticity of the audio clip has not been independently confirmed, and a forensic investigation has been ordered.