Raut claims BJP MLC leaked audio clip to Jarange, says Fadnavis knows who

Manoj Jarange recently set Maharashtra politics abuzz by bringing out an audio clip. The clip is said to be a conversation among BJP insiders. Since then, many have wondered where Jarange got it. Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut has now made a major claim on the matter.

According to Raut, a BJP member of the Legislative Council leaked the audio tape. He said the legislator was constantly present to hold talks with Manoj Jarange Patil during his fast. Raut also said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis knows who this legislator is. He was speaking at a press conference called in Mumbai on Saturday.

Raut said Fadnavis is the chief minister, the home minister and a "little Chanakya", so he should understand this. According to him, the people speaking in the audio clip are the core team of the BJP and Devendra Fadnavis. Raut asked whether the chief minister did not think an SIT should be formed to investigate the matter. He said the BJP's core team itself is saying that Rs 500 crore was paid. Raut asked whom the chief minister is protecting. He said the clip is being used to put each other in difficulty, and that even after a Rs 500 crore transaction there will be no investigation.

Referring to the Mundhwa land case, Raut asked why, when an official from Sunetra Pawar's office is summoned in that case, no case is registered in the Rs 500 crore matter.

He also said the BJP's internal conversations are being recorded, which means the home department has now turned against them. Earlier they tapped our phones, now your phones are being tapped. Raut asked whether forensic lab tests are done when phones of his side are recorded. According to him, Manoj Jarange is the main character in this affair, while Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and everyone else are extras. The chief minister says the audio clip will be investigated, but Raut claimed he is lying. He said the real issue is who leaked the tape, and that the chief minister knows the legislator.

Raut also spoke about relations between the BJP and the Shiv Sena. According to him, under cover of the audio clip the two parties appear to be attacking each other in the chest and in the back. The fight between them has reached its peak and will go to any lengths. He said Shinde's ministers say they will wipe out anyone who comes in their way. Raut said the people speaking on the tape are Fadnavis's core team and that a rift has opened within the BJP.

Raut said a "Panipat battle" has begun between Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis, and it will now be seen who wins Panipat. He said it would be known next month whose end comes.