Mumbai, Oct 21 A day after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange claimed that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde secured Rs 500 crore from the BJP to end his agitation, Shinde on Wednesday dared him to prove the allegation.
Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Shinde said that nobody had paid or received Rs 500 crore.
“He should have verified (the allegation) before speaking. He should furnish proof to the concerned agencies and this should be probed,” Shinde said.
By dragging his name into a controversy, people try to get into headlines, he added.
Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, also stated that he had helped Jarange in the past as the latter was fighting to secure reservation for the Maratha community.
On Tuesday, Jarange alleged that Shinde had secured Rs 500 crore from the BJP.
Meanwhile, speaking in Jalna on Wednesday, Jarange said that he would produce evidence on Thursday, but Shinde should first issue a clarification about the allegation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said elsewhere that an FIR should be registered in connection with Jarange’s claims and the Economic Offences Wing or the Enforcement Directorate should probe the matter.
Sena leader Sanjay Lakhe Patil had on Tuesday threatened to file a defamation suit against Jarange over his allegations.
(PTI News)
