Jalna, Oct 30 Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Friday accused the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena of trying to suppress the truth behind the ‘Rs 500 crore’ audio clip, insisting that the recording was genuine and demanded an independent inquiry by senior IAS officers.
Speaking to reporters at Ankushnagar in Jalna district, Jarange reiterated his allegation that attempts were being made to portray the audio clip as fake to protect those involved.
Last week, Jarange released an audio clip of a purported conversation between BJP functionaries about the quota activist being paid Rs 500 crore through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The activist has alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to silence him and weaken the Maratha reservation agitation, and demanded an investigation into the controversial audio clip. A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the clip.
“After a few days, they will try to prove the clip false. They cannot digest the truth and are spreading a false narrative against me. People associated with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are following me and conspiring against me,” he claimed.
Questioning how Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam obtained the original and complete recording, Jarange asked who had given him the clip and why only a portion of it was released to the public.
“If the BJP and Shiv Sena have no involvement in this matter, they should come forward and expose the truth,” he said.
Jarange said he would not disclose the identity of the person who provided him with the recording, citing safety concerns, and urged Shinde and Fadnavis to guarantee the source’s protection.
The activist demanded an inquiry by a competent agency comprising senior IAS officers or a judge, alleging that state resources were being used to tarnish his reputation and damage the Maratha reservation movement.
“If these people are conspiring without the knowledge of Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it will damage the BJP. If the truth is not brought out, people will suspect their involvement,” he said.
Jarange also announced plans to form a group of ‘Maratha Sevaks’, selfless and committed volunteers who would identify and counter those working against the interests of the Maratha community.
While lauding the police chiefs of Jalna and Beed districts for not succumbing to political pressure, he criticised the security arrangements during a recent rally at Narayan Gad in Beed district.
(PTI News)
