BJP's Prasad Lad says BJP, Shiv Sena united after Jarange audio clip row, blames Sanjay Raut

BJP Legislative Council member Prasad Lad said on Saturday that there is no major rift between his party and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde over the audio clip of Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange. He said both parties in the ruling alliance are united.

Lad accused Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut of trying to drive a wedge between the BJP and the Shiv Sena. He also indicated that the BJP would consider the dispute over once Mahayuti leaders had spoken.

The matter began when Jarange released an alleged audio recording on Thursday. It is alleged to mention Rs 500 crore being paid to Jarange through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Whether the recording is genuine, and how much substance there is in the allegations made in it, has not been established independently.

Speaking to reporters, Lad said, "Raut has tried to drive a wedge between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, but both parties will continue to work together." He described Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam as a "respected elder".

Lad's statement came after an allegation by Kadam. Kadam had said that Jarange, together with a section of the BJP, wanted to politically "finish" a Maratha leader. This was widely seen as a clear pointer to Eknath Shinde. Following these remarks, leaders of the two Mahayuti parties began trading public statements.

Lad said the BJP had already answered Kadam's remarks and the matter could now end there. He said, "The BJP has replied to his remarks. Shiv Sena's Uday Samant has also said at a press conference that the matter is over. Samant also told me over the phone after speaking to Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. If Kadam has decided to end the matter, the BJP will also consider it over."

Lad also referred to reports that Fadnavis spoke to Kadam on Saturday and asked him not to make statements that could harm the Mahayuti. Differences over the audio clip and the allegations linked to the Maratha reservation movement had begun to surface openly when senior leaders intervened.

Lad claimed, "We respect Eknath Shinde and regard him as an elder brother. If this has happened, the matter is over from our side too, and no BJP leader will speak on it further." His statement suggests he wants to stop the dispute from growing, especially as leaders of both parties have already accused each other over the recording and its possible political impact.

The BJP has raised questions about the authenticity of the audio clip, while Shiv Sena leaders have sought an investigation into the allegations linked to it. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a forensic examination of the recording.

Lad said the BJP, the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Republican Party of India (Athawale), all part of the Mahayuti, are united. The audio clip row has put pressure on the alliance, and leaders of the BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena are openly questioning each other's positions. The recording is reported to mention attempts to blunt Jarange's political influence before the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election.