A few months ago, Manoj Jarange-Patil had praised Eknath Shinde. Their relationship has since deteriorated, with the verbal exchange between the two escalating into allegations involving hundreds of crores of rupees.
Jarange alleged that there was speculation within the BJP that Eknath Shinde had given him ₹500 crore through Shrikant Shinde, a Member of Parliament from Shinde's Shiv Sena. Following the allegation, Eknath Shinde demanded evidence from Jarange. Shinde categorically denied both giving and receiving ₹500 crore, rejecting the allegations against him.
Amid the escalating dispute, an audio clip that Jarange claims supports his allegations has emerged. According to the information available, the recording is said to be from a BJP conference meeting held during the Maharashtra Assembly election period, before the state elections. A female member of the BJP's IT cell is purportedly heard claiming during the meeting that ₹500 crore had been delivered to Manoj Jarange through Shrikant Shinde. ABP Majha, however, has clarified that it has not verified the authenticity of the recording.
In the purported audio clip, a speaker is heard saying, “Jarange Patil has already received ₹500 crore. It has been delivered through Shrikant Shinde.” The speaker then adds, “Whether Jarange Patil will be beneficial to us in the Assembly elections or not is a separate matter for me. My calculation is different. What you think and what the facts are, those are separate matters.”
The recording is being cited in the context of Jarange's allegations about an alleged payment and its possible political implications during the Assembly elections. However, the authenticity of the audio clip remains unconfirmed by ABP Majha.
What Exactly Did Manoj Jarange Allege Against Eknath Shinde?
Questioning Shinde over the alleged discussions within the BJP, Jarange asked what the Deputy Chief Minister had told BJP leaders in Delhi about him.
“Eknath Shinde Saheb, what did you tell the BJP people in Delhi about me? Did you tell a BJP leader that ₹500 crore had to be given to Manoj Jarange-Patil and that you had taken ₹500 crore from the BJP and given it to me? Because those leaders have started whispering about it,” Jarange said.
He further alleged that BJP leaders were discussing claims that ₹500 crore had reached him through Shrikant Shinde. Jarange also questioned whether Shinde had described him as a third party aligned with them.
“Did you give me ₹500 crore? If you did not give me the money, then are the BJP people trying to finish you off, or are you trying to finish me off? I will not remain silent until I uncover the truth,” Jarange said.
Jarange also asserted that he could mobilise substantial financial support from the Maratha community. “If I say tomorrow morning that Marathas should contribute ₹100 each, then ₹2,500 crore will be collected with me by tomorrow. This is not a small matter, Shinde Saheb,” he said.
Issuing a further warning, Jarange added, “You and I will face each other after three months.”
Eknath Shinde Rejects the Allegations, Demands Evidence
Eknath Shinde rejected Jarange's allegations, maintaining that he had neither given ₹500 crore to anyone nor received such an amount. He urged Jarange to verify his claims before making public statements.
Shinde also said that if Jarange had any evidence, he should submit it so that the allegations could be investigated.
“If Jarange-Patil has any evidence, he should provide it. There should be an inquiry into it. Then the truth will come out,” Shinde said, using the expression “doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani” to convey that the facts should be established.
The dispute has now centred on Jarange's allegations, Shinde's demand for evidence and the purported BJP meeting recording. With the audio clip's authenticity not confirmed by ABP Majha, the claims surrounding the alleged ₹500 crore payment remain unverified, while Shinde has categorically denied the allegations.
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