Mumbai, Oct 22 A delegation of Shiv Sena leaders and lawmakers met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday seeking a thorough forensic investigation into an audio clip presented by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange alleging payment of Rs 500 crore to him by MP Shrikant Shinde.
The Eknath Shinde-led party also questioned some BJP leaders whose names have cropped up in the audio.
Releasing the audio clip in Jalna, Jarange alleged a conspiracy involving a purported Rs 500 crore payment claimed to be done to him via Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde in order to “silence” him and to crush the reservation agitation.
In the purported conversation, a speaker claims that Rs 500 crore had already been delivered to Jarange through MP Shrikant Shinde, while another part of the recording discusses whether Jarange’s influence would be beneficial to the party in the assembly elections.
The speakers are also purportedly heard discussing strategies to counter Jarange’s growing influence in Marathwada, where he has been raising issues concerning Maratha reservation, farmers and loan waivers.
After Jarange’s press conference, Shiv Sena leaders and ministers too responded with a series of news conferences and alluded that some leaders of its ally BJP were involved in the conversation in the purported clip.
“The alleged audio clip must be examined immediately by the Cyber Cell and a forensic laboratory. Its authenticity, the identification of the voices, and whether the conversation has been altered or tampered with, must be scientifically verified, including through voice samples of the individuals concerned,” the Shinde-led party said.
In the clip, one speaker says Jarange was portraying the BJP as anti-Maratha and OBC leaders, and there was a need to consider the political implications. Another is heard saying that Jarange would continue raising different issues, forcing his opponents to respond to his narrative.
The recording also purportedly refers to contacting Maratha leaders as well as mobilising community members opposed to Jarange. One of the speakers allegedly suggests Jarange should be countered indirectly through other people, while another warns that if his influence was not checked, he could politically overwhelm the party in Marathwada.
“Our intention is not to prejudge anyone or declare anyone guilty before the investigation is completed. Our foremost demand is that the truth be established without any pressure or interference,” the letter submitted by the Sena delegation said.
The delegation comprising Shiv Sena MPs Ravindra Waikar and Milind Deora, Maharashtra legislative council Deputy Chairman Sachin Ahir, former lawmakers Rahul Shewale and Deepak Sawant said the conversation in the clip allegedly contains highly objectionable, defamatory and condemnable remarks concerning Eknath Shinde and Shrikant Shinde.
“It is essential to investigate the truth behind this matter and determine whether there was a planned conspiracy, an attempt to create confusion for political purposes, or an effort by anyone to disturb social harmony in the state,” the delegation said in its letter.
Particular attention must be paid to the alleged remarks made by a woman concerning Shrikant Shinde in this audio clip, it said.
“A thorough investigation must establish the identity of the woman, the basis on which she made these statements, whether she possesses any evidence to support them, and from whom she obtained this information. It must also be investigated whether this was part of a deliberate conspiracy to malign Shrikant Shinde,” the party said.
Discussions in the media and political circles suggest that individuals involved in the conversation may be associated with the BJP, it said.
“However, we do not possess any official information in this regard. The names of BJP leaders and MLCs Niranjan Davkhare and Pravin Darekar have also been mentioned during these discussions. Therefore, these leaders should also be questioned to ascertain whether any such incident actually took place,” the delegation said.
“Our firm position is that if attempts are being made to defame leaders of constituent parties of the Mahayuti alliance or to make derogatory remarks against alliance partners, those responsible must not receive any political protection,” it added.
If the statements in the alleged conversation have misled members of the Maratha community or hurt their sentiments, this too must be taken seriously. Any attempt to misuse a sensitive issue such as the demand for Maratha reservation for political purposes and to create social discord must not be tolerated, the Sena said.
“At present, Maharashtra is facing drought-like conditions. Providing relief to farmers, labourers and the common people, and overcoming this crisis, are among the principal challenges before the state government. At such a sensitive time, the possibility that this audio clip could disturb caste and social harmony cannot be ruled out,” the letter said.
(PTI News)
