Mhaske seeks cyber cell probe into Jarange audio clip, names BJP leaders

An audio clip released by Maratha agitator Manoj Jarange Patil has stirred politics across the state, including Pune. The clip says Rs 500 crore was taken from the BJP and sent to Jarange through MP Shrikant Shinde. Jarange played the clip at a packed press conference and attacked Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and the BJP.

Other leaders have also reacted. Shiv Sena leader and minister Uday Samant said the BJP should explain itself. BJP spokesperson Navnath Ban said the clip's authenticity should be checked, as it could also be AI-generated.

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske has since made serious allegations. Mhaske said: "To check the authenticity of this audio clip, it should be sent to the cyber cell. Manoj Jarange should hand the clip to the police and the cyber cell. It will come out who is working to create a quarrel between Jarange and the Shiv Sena."

Mhaske also appealed for a police complaint to test the clip's authenticity. He advised Manoj Jarange Patil not to comment on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde without reason.

Mhaske also said the voices in the clip appear to be those of BJP spokespersons Shweta Shalini and Nidhi Kamdar and MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar. He said it should come out whether the voices are really theirs and whether the clip is genuine. According to him, if the clip proves genuine and leaders of an allied party are speaking this way about Shiv Sena leaders, senior leaders should take action.

Mhaske said it was necessary to get to the bottom of who is behind the conspiracy. He said he also plans to complain about it to the Chief Minister.

The clip Jarange played carries a conversation among women. In it, one woman says Rs 500 crore has already reached Jarange Patil and that the money was given through Shrikant Shinde. She also says her view differs on whether Jarange Patil will be useful to them in the Assembly, and that her calculation is different. The clip also mentions that Jarange is personally targeting Fadnavis.