BJP, Shinde Sena Seek To Ease Tensions Over Audio Clip
The BJP has now trained its guns on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT): Reports
MUMBAI: Three days after a purported audio clip alleging a payment of Rs 500 crore to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil through Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Shinde triggered tensions between the BJP and its Mahayuti ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, leaders of the two parties have begun signalling a willingness to bury the hatchet and ease tensions within the ruling alliance.
The BJP has now trained its guns on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), with party leaders alleging that MP Sanjay Raut orchestrated the purported audio clip and scripted it at the office of Saamana, the party mouthpiece.
Amid the escalating political confrontation, Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed his party’s ministers, MLAs and workers to stop trading allegations and counter-allegations and instead focus on helping drought-hit farmers.
BJP MLC Prasad Lad accused Mr Raut of orchestrating the audio clip and demanded that a case be registered against him and that he be arrested. Mr Raut, however, alleged that a BJP MLC had arranged for the clip to be prepared, with his remarks apparently directed at Mr Lad. Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban also accused Mr Raut of having the purportedly fake clip prepared in his war room and allegedly routing it to Mr Jarange-Patil through a person from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Earlier in the day, Mr Raut alleged that a BJP MLC had arranged for the audio clip to be prepared. The legislator had been involved in negotiations with Jarange-Patil during his hunger strike and had been given considerable importance by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Mr Raut claimed that the BJP’s move had now backfired. His remarks appeared to be directed at Mr Lad.
Dr Shinde, who is also a Lok Sabha member representing the Kalyan-Dombivli constituency, denied receiving or transferring the alleged money. “Whoever was supposed to have received the Rs 500 crore did not transfer the money to me. Therefore, I have the same question that Manoj Jarange-Patil has raised: if someone paid Rs 500 crore, where did that money go? The Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry, and the truth will come out once the investigation is completed,” Dr Shinde said.
Meanwhile, Mr Shirsat, a Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Cabinet minister, called for an end to differences among Mahayuti partners, saying that no one should challenge others, as political retaliation could come from any side.
He, however, insisted that the truth behind the audio clip must emerge. Mr Lad said the dispute could be considered over if Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam stopped making remarks against the BJP. State Industries Minister Uday Samant has also spoken to the Chief Minister and Mr Shinde about the controversy.
Amid the political sparring, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde directed party ministers, MLAs and workers to stop trading allegations and counter-allegations and focus on helping drought-hit farmers. He said the state was facing a severe drought and that supporting farmers was the party’s foremost duty. Mr Shinde said that 3.5 lakh foodgrain kits had been dispatched to drought-hit areas on Dussehra and directed workers to ensure door-to-door distribution.
He also asked them to monitor the delivery of government assistance and help farmers with applications and crop damage assessment procedures, stressing that the farmers’ Diwali must not be left in darkness.