Shrikant Shinde on Rs 500 crore claim: The money has not reached even me

An audio clip claiming that the BJP gave Rs 500 crore during Manoj Jarange Patil's fast for Maratha reservation, and that Shrikant Shinde delivered the money to him, has been a talking point in Maharashtra politics for the past few days. Shrikant Shinde responded to it on Saturday while speaking to the media.

Referring to the audio clip, Shinde said that the Rs 500 crore had not reached even him. According to him, the question that arose in Jarange Patil's mind is the same one he has: where did the Rs 500 crore go. Shinde said he had now set out to find that money.

He said they had just been discussing how Rs 500 crore would look all in one place and how many vehicles it would take to carry it. Shinde said questions were being raised about who was saying what. The Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry and verification into the entire matter.

Shinde also said he himself had been researching for two days where the Rs 500 crore had gone. He said that if he found out, he would tell everyone himself.

The viral audio clip that Jarange Patil put forward claimed that he received Rs 500 crore through Shrikant Shinde, and also discussed Jarange Patil's role in the Assembly election. On the basis of this clip, Jarange Patil had sought a reply from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Jarange had also demanded that Eknath Shinde and Shrikant Shinde clarify the matter.

The matter had triggered a fierce dispute between the BJP and the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena leaders had asked who leaked the audio clip, and how people linked to the BJP could say such things about Shrikant Shinde.