BJP's Ashish Shelar says no party leader linked to audio clips Jarange played at press conference

Maratha agitator Manoj Jarange Patil played some audio clips at a press conference, setting off a stir in the state's politics. The alleged clips are being widely discussed. The BJP has now given its first response, with party leader Ashish Shelar addressing a press conference.

Jarange claimed that talk was going around in the party that Eknath Shinde had told BJP leaders that Rs 500 crore was paid through MP Shrikant Shinde. After this claim, Jarange put out some alleged audio clips. The clips appear to show a conversation about Jarange.

Minister and Shinde faction leader Uday Samant responded. Samant is reported to have claimed that the person in the clips is linked to the BJP. He also demanded an investigation into the entire matter. A rift now appears to be emerging within the Mahayuti.

Shelar said plainly at the press conference that no BJP leader has any connection with the clip. He also said that Eknath Shinde is a leader of an allied party and the state's Deputy Chief Minister, and the BJP does not accept such questions being raised about him.

Shelar said the authenticity of the clip has not been verified and nothing is clear about its credibility. He said that if Uday Samant had any misunderstanding about the clip, an effort would be made to remove it. Shelar demanded that whatever information Jarange has be given to the investigating agencies and that the matter be thoroughly investigated.

Allegations and counter-allegations have begun in the matter, but the identification of the voices in the alleged audio clips and the verification of the clip's authenticity are yet to be done. All eyes are now on what the investigation turns up.