Sanjay Raut says only three players matter in Jarange audio clip row, rest are extras

The audio bomb dropped by Manoj Jarange Patil has caused considerable stir in the state's politics. The audio clip is being used to claim that Eknath Shinde took Rs 500 crore from the BJP to manage Jarange Patil. The claim has led to a sharp exchange between the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and BJP leaders. Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut has now reacted to it as well.

Raut took on leaders of the BJP and the Shinde faction. Speaking to journalists, he named Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Manoj Jarange and said, "There are three key characters in this drama: Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Manoj Jarange. All the rest are extras." He thus took a dig at the blame game under way between BJP and Shinde faction leaders.

Raut also questioned the way a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) was announced in the matter. He asked why a case was not registered first and an SIT formed afterwards.

Raut said, "Five hundred crore is not a small sum. Will this matter be properly investigated?" He thus expressed doubt about the fairness of the probe. He also criticised Devendra Fadnavis in his capacity as chief minister and home minister.

Raut claimed that someone from the BJP's core team is behind the conversation. Citing a BJP member of the Legislative Council without naming the person, he aimed his attack at them. According to Raut, "To my knowledge, this was done by the BJP's Legislative Council member. You pampered that person a great deal, and now the same person has become a problem for you. I am now convinced that the government at the Centre is going to fall."

Raut also targeted the BJP over phone tapping. He said, "Who leaked the tape? The BJP's internal conversation was recorded, which means the home department has turned against you. Our phones used to be tapped, and now your own people are tapping your phones."

The matter has also set off discussion in political circles about the relations between the BJP and the Shinde faction. All eyes are on what new information emerges in this politics of allegations and counter-allegations.