Raut claims BJP MLC leaked Jarange audio clip, cites infighting in ruling party

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged on Saturday that the controversial audio clip released by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange was leaked by a Maharashtra BJP MLC. According to Raut, the whole affair is the result of intense infighting within the ruling party.

The alleged recording is said to speak of Rs 500 crore being given to Jarange, with the money reportedly routed through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Whether the recording is genuine, and how it surfaced, has not yet been confirmed.

Raut's statement came a few hours after BJP leaders accused him of having the recording created with artificial intelligence to defame the party. The rival claims have raised tension between the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, though both are part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Speaking to reporters, Raut said: "The clip was leaked by a BJP MLC. He was part of the conversation with Jarange. The Chief Minister showed him great favour, which has now backfired." He did not name the legislator.

BJP MLC Prasad Lad, considered close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had spoken to Jarange in August during his hunger strike over Maratha reservation. Earlier on Saturday, Lad described Raut as the main conspirator behind the audio clip controversy.

BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban also alleged that Raut produced the purported recording using AI. He also claimed that the "contract" to defame the BJP was given from behind Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Raut rejected the BJP's claim and said the real question is who leaked the recording.

Raut said the rivalry within the BJP has become so sharp that the leak is its result. He said Fadnavis should first ensure that a case is registered and then order a forensic examination of the clip. However, Raut claimed that the examination would "yield nothing".

The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP also alleged that Fadnavis has lost control of the state and has failed in both his roles, as Chief Minister and Home Minister. Raut said: "If clips from inside are being leaked, the home department has turned against you (the Chief Minister)." He also said the BJP has become the victim of a sting operation.

Raut further claimed that the "cold war" between Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde has reached its peak, and that both leaders could go to any lengths to weaken each other politically.

The controversy has brought out into the open the differences between the BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena. Leaders on both sides are accusing each other over the recording and its possible political impact. Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam had earlier alleged that Jarange, together with a faction of the BJP, wants to politically "finish" a Maratha leader, which was widely seen as a clear reference to Shinde. BJP leaders, meanwhile, say the audio clip is part of an alleged conspiracy to harm the party and its allies.

Jarange released the audio clip in Jalna on Thursday. He alleges that a conspiracy was hatched to silence him and weaken the Maratha reservation movement. On Friday, Fadnavis ordered a forensic examination of the clip.

The recording is said to carry a woman's voice saying that Rs 500 crore was delivered to Jarange through Shrikant Shinde. The other voices are allegedly heard discussing how to counter Jarange's political influence in Marathwada ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. The BJP has questioned the authenticity of the recording, while Jarange has demanded a fair SIT investigation.