BJP MLA Prasad Lad calls Rs 500 crore allegation a fake narrative, seeks SIT probe into Sanjay Raut

Ahilyanagar: BJP MLA Prasad Lad on Friday visited the Sai Samadhi in Shirdi. He then spoke to the media and answered several questions, including on the Rs 500 crore allegations made by Manoj Jarange Patil.

Lad said the allegation of a Rs 500 crore transaction was entirely a fake narrative. According to him, Sanjay Raut is a "script master" who writes some clip or other every morning. He said the script was written at the Saamana press. Lad demanded an inquiry, saying a special investigation team (SIT) should summon Raut, question him and arrest him. He also commented on the reaction of MP Shrikant Shinde.

Lad said, "We are always with Manoj Jarange, and we are concerned that he should not be defamed anywhere. Whoever spread the lie, we will all together prove it false." He said this in stating that he stood with Jarange Patil.

Shrikant Shinde had reacted to the matter earlier. Responding to that, Lad said Rs 500 crore was indeed a very large sum and could not be carried in the hand, in a bag or in a vehicle. He said the question Shrikant Shinde had raised was one he had also asked. Lad asked whether Rs 500 crore was now to be collected, just as Rs 100 crore had been collected in Uddhavji's time.

He said the matter should be investigated so that the truth comes out. He said it would also be found out who delivered the tape, to whom and how. According to Lad, an effort is being made to lead an honest man like Manoj Jarange in another direction.

On Eknath Shinde, Lad said he was "our leader" and not so small that anyone could clip his wings. He said Shinde had the full backing of Devendraji, Amit Shah and Modiji. Lad said, "We all stand behind him with full strength."

On the Ramdas Kadam matter, Lad said what had happened had happened and had been washed away in the Ganga. According to him, he has immense affection and trust for Eknath Shinde, and Kadam has already given the reply he had to give. Deputy Chief Minister Shinde has also cautioned Kadam. Lad said the Mahayuti staying united was their stand. He said flowers had been offered at Saibaba's feet and water poured over the matter, and with that he declined to say anything further on Kadam.

On the Mundhwa land case, Lad said Devendraji's government would not shield anyone, so those guilty in the Mundhwa land scam would be caught. He said that even while Sunetra Pawar was Deputy Chief Minister, an employee of her office had been called for questioning. According to Lad, this meant the Chief Minister runs the Home Department transparently.