Raut demands ED summons for Shinde over Jarange's Rs 500 crore allegation

Manoj Jarange Patil had a day earlier made a very serious allegation against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He said Shinde had taken Rs 500 crore from BJP leaders in his name. According to Jarange, this is being discussed among BJP leaders and he has evidence. He challenged Shinde to clarify within two days whether money had been taken in his name. The allegation caused considerable stir.

Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut has now reacted. Speaking to the media, Raut said the ED and CBI should take cognisance of the matter. He demanded that Eknath Shinde be sent summons immediately and the whole matter investigated.

Raut said Jarange had asked for a reply at the Dussehra melava rally. Jarange says Shinde took Rs 500 crore from the BJP to silence him. Raut asked what standing a man who takes Rs 500 crore from the BJP has, and whom he speaks against: Thackeray, or regime change?

Raut said this means money laundering has taken place. He asked where the Rs 500 crore went, who the BJP leader who paid it is, and who held such a sum at that time. He said the idea of paying Rs 500 crore to shut the voice of the Maratha community is despicable.

Raut cited the example of Anil Deshmukh. He said Deshmukh was arrested on an allegation by Devendra Fadnavis. Param Bir Singh had made a baseless allegation of Rs 100 crore against Deshmukh, then the Home Minister, and the ED and CBI arrived as soon as it was made. Deshmukh was sent summons. Raut asked why Fadnavis was now sitting silent on this Rs 500 crore allegation.

Raut also defended Jarange. He said he knows Jarange Patil and that Manoj dada never lies. According to Raut, like a Shiv Sainik he always speaks the truth and says straight out what is in his mind. He said that if Fadnavis is truly the state's Home Minister and realises it, he should hand the matter to the Economic Offences Wing and the ED. The inquiry should establish from whom the money was taken and what happened to it. Raut also said he has the same kind of information that Jarange has.

Raut also targeted the BJP over a statement by state Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil. Gulabrao Patil had said a day earlier that whoever comes in the way would be wiped out and Eknath Shinde would be made Chief Minister. Raut said this threat was made to Fadnavis, who is the state's Chief Minister. He said it shows at what level the Bishnoi gang is working in the cabinet.

Raut said that if this gang is in Fadnavis's cabinet, his security should be increased and he should be given central security. He said he is worried about Fadnavis. He asked why Fadnavis is so helpless and whether he is afraid of the chief Bishnoi. Raut claimed that all of them will be gone in April and will face a political encounter.