Srikant Shinde on Rs 500 crore claim: The money never reached me

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange had made a clip go viral. The clip claims that the BJP gave Srikant Shinde Rs 500 crore to pass on to Manoj Jarange. The claim has caused an immediate stir. It has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra politics, and a sharp tussle has begun between the Shinde camp and the BJP as a result.

Srikant Shinde, MP from the Shinde camp, has given his first reaction to the matter while speaking to the media. He said the question of how the Rs 500 crore did not reach him troubles him just as it troubles Manoj Jarange.

Srikant Shinde said, "Wherever the Rs 500 crore went, it did not reach me. The question Jarange Patil has is the same one I have. Now I have set out to find the person who took that money. We were just discussing how Rs 500 crore would look all in one place and how many vehicles it would take to carry so much money. I think it is not important who says what about this. Even asking questions about it is wrong. The work of investigating whoever took the money is under way. The Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry. I have also set out to find that person. You should look for them too. If you find out, tell me. If I find out, I will tell you." He said this in a humorous tone.

Now to Jarange's claim. Manoj Jarange had played a clip containing a conversation between two women. The women say that the BJP gave Eknath Shinde Rs 500 crore. They also appear to say that the money was given to manage Manoj Jarange.

Manoj Jarange Patil had said that Eknath Shinde gave this money to Srikant Shinde. After playing the clip, Jarange appealed to Eknath Shinde to say whether it was true or false. Jarange also asked whether the BJP was playing a game against Shinde or against him. The clip caused an immediate stir in the state.

The Shinde camp took the matter seriously and met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. An inquiry into the matter was ordered at that time. The Chief Minister also announced that the matter would be investigated.