Jarange offers SIT audio clips, wants CM and Deputy CM to guarantee source's safety

Maratha reservation movement leader Manoj Jarange Patil addressed a press conference in Jalna and again attacked the state government sharply. His targets were Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in particular. Jarange also issued a direct warning to the government.

Jarange said he is fully ready to give the audio clips to the SIT. But his condition is that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister take full responsibility for the life and safety of the source of the clips, the person who gave the information. He put the demand in very firm terms.

He said he does not think the SIT will need the actual source. Even so, if the agency insists on the source, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister should themselves come before the media and openly assure that the man will be protected and that his life will face no threat. Jarange said clearly that only then would the clip be handed over.

On the audio clip matter, Jarange said the people speaking in it cared neither about the community nor about reservation. According to him, all of them are speaking on the strength of money. Jarange claimed that everyone speaking against him is taking money from the government to defame him.

He made a serious allegation that the real masterminds of those plotting against him are Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde. Jarange also said the 6 crore Maratha community is his true companion and that new tactics are being tried to damage his image.

Apart from reservation, Jarange also took a tough stand on the worsening condition of farmers. He said the aid the government gave recently is far too little. Farmers are being cheated by being given Rs 5,000, and farmers have now understood this too, he said.

Jarange demanded that the government announce, without conditions, aid of Rs 1 lakh per hectare. If that does not happen, leaders of the government, including state ministers, will not be allowed to move around in Maharashtra, he warned sternly.

Jarange made an emotional appeal to farmers not to take any drastic step out of despair and not to die by suicide. He announced that a big mass movement for farmers' rights will be built across the state. He said that even if it comes to going to jail, he will not step back.

Speaking on, Jarange asked senior leader Sharad Pawar to take care of his health. He also said the real Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are only the people and the farmers.