The controversy began at the Dussehra rally at Narayangad in Beed, where Jarange challenged Shinde over discussions allegedly taking place among BJP leaders. He asked Shinde to respond to claims that he had been given ₹500 crore, saying that such discussions were reportedly circulating among BJP leaders.
Following the rally, Jarange addressed a press conference and said he would present evidence of the alleged conspiracy. He played audio recordings that he claimed shed light on efforts to undermine him and the Maratha movement.
Jarange said a conspiracy against him had been continuing for three consecutive years. He said the alleged developments needed to be brought before the Maratha community so that people could understand the scale of the matter and the difficulties he had faced.
According to Jarange, attempts were being made deliberately to disrupt the Maratha agitation by subjecting the community to injustice and harassment. He claimed that conspiracies had taken place during election periods, hunger strikes and the movement itself.
He urged members of the Maratha community, including those active in politics, society and business, to take note of what he described as efforts to target him. He also questioned why such an extensive conspiracy was allegedly being planned against him.
Jarange called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and both Deputy Chief Ministers to investigate the matter and establish who was behind the alleged activities.
During the press conference, Jarange played an audio clip in which the names of Niranjan Davkhare and Darekar were reportedly mentioned. The conversation also included a reference to the absence of anyone willing to speak from within the BJP and a mention of Sharad Pawar allegedly providing money.
The recording, which Jarange described as an audio clip from a conference, reportedly contained a discussion about financial matters and political calculations. Two individuals could allegedly be heard discussing the possibility of people in Marathwada speaking out against Jarange.
The conversation reportedly included the statement that if Jarange was not restrained, he could overwhelm political opponents in Marathwada. It also allegedly discussed the need to begin efforts to damage his public image.
Jarange then played another audio clip featuring a conversation between two women. In the recording, one woman allegedly claimed that Jarange had already received ₹500 crore and that the money had been delivered through Shrikant Shinde.
The woman reportedly expressed a different opinion about whether Jarange would remain politically beneficial to their side during the Assembly elections, saying that her calculations differed from those of others.
The conversation also allegedly referred to Jarange personally targeting Devendra Fadnavis, BJP leaders helping him and attempts to defame Fadnavis. The clip reportedly included references to a love jihad case in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and the alleged absence of public condemnation of the matter.
The recording also reportedly discussed the politics of vote jihad and the inclusion of the Maratha community in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. It allegedly suggested that different individuals should campaign around these two issues to create political turbulence.
Further references in the audio clip reportedly concerned political developments and articles. The conversation also allegedly mentioned promoting claims that Americans were travelling around Maharashtra and spreading propaganda about Bangladesh.
After playing the recordings, Jarange asked Fadnavis and Shinde to identify the people involved, arguing that those in power were responsible for investigating the matter. He said he had placed the alleged truth before the public and described the individuals in the recordings as people who determined party networks and shaped political strategies for the country and the state.
Jarange said the alleged conspiracy had continued for three years and questioned how he and his supporters could safely leave their homes under such circumstances. He also expressed concern that those attempting to bring the truth before the public could face physical harm, adding that he would remain cautious.
Referring again to the alleged payment, Jarange said the recording mentioned that Shrikant Bhai had given ₹500 crore. He questioned whether the people in the conversation would have referred to Shinde without a reason.
He warned Fadnavis that if he failed to investigate the allegations, Jarange would assume that he was involved in the matter. He also demanded that the people allegedly responsible be brought to justice and face punishment as severe as transportation for life. Jarange appealed to Prime Minister Modi to uncover the alleged conspiracy.
Addressing the Maratha community, Jarange urged people to remain alert. He questioned the role of Niranjan Davkhare, saying he did not know who he was, and alleged that the BJP's party fund was being used against him and in support of people opposing him.
Jarange further claimed that he possessed additional information that could have serious implications for those involved. He alleged that he knew about conversations Shinde had held with someone through WhatsApp calls and warned that he could release another recording in two or three months if the alleged campaign against him continued.
Appealing directly to Shinde, Jarange asked him to stop people associated with him from speaking against him. He said Shinde had previously demonstrated self-respect and urged him not to deploy a team against the Maratha activist.
Jarange also claimed to know which minister was providing what to whom and alleged that false cases were being registered against people associated with the movement. He specifically referred to cases being filed against people in Beed and cautioned Shinde to remain vigilant.
He warned Fadnavis that he possessed serious information that could emerge if he pursued the matter further, adding that he would disclose everything if the alleged activities did not stop.
Jarange also named Sarnaik, Uday Samant, Chivate, Sattar, Suhas Kande, Dada Bhuse and Kesarkar, saying he had warned them that their political careers could be put at risk because of people operating under Shinde.
He additionally alleged that he knew who had withheld funds meant for Narayangad.
The audio clips played by Jarange formed the centrepiece of his allegations against political figures and individuals he claimed were working to undermine him and the Maratha reservation movement. The claims about the alleged ₹500 crore payment, political funding and efforts to damage his reputation remain allegations presented by Jarange through the recordings, with his demand for an investigation placing the responsibility on the state's political leadership and the Prime Minister to establish the facts.
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