Bhujbal calls Jarange's audio clip on Shinde fabricated, presses for Finance portfolio for NCP

Maratha reservation movement leader Manoj Jarange Patil held a press conference a few days ago, where he played an audio clip. In the alleged clip, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is said to be heard saying that Rs 500 crore was taken from the BJP to give to Manoj Jarange Patil.

The atmosphere has been heated since then. Tension is visible within the Mahayuti itself, and the BJP and the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena have begun trading charges. Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has now given his first reaction to the clip. He was speaking to reporters in Mumbai.

Bhujbal addressed a press conference at the Devgiri government residence, where he made a strong claim about the audio clip played by Jarange Patil. Bhujbal said the clip is fabricated. He closed the matter in a single sentence.

The question of the finance minister's post also came up on the occasion. The Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party is insisting on the Finance Ministry. Bhujbal spoke on this as well. He said Sunetra Pawar is "our Deputy Chief Minister" and that the Finance Department must be returned to the party, as it is "our rightful department". According to him, the department was to be given again, and the Chief Minister has shown a positive attitude on the matter.

Bhujbal also said that Amit Shah has given the Chief Minister full freedom to decide on this. He therefore expressed confidence that the matter would certainly be considered positively.

Talk of a merger of the two Nationalist parties has also been going on for the past few days. Bhujbal responded to this too, saying clearly that there is no discussion of a merger of the two Nationalist parties.

With the Ajit Pawar faction holding out for the finance minister's post, it will now be important to see whether the NCP gets the post before the winter session.