Jarange Patil plays audio clip alleging Rs 500 crore; Shinde camp seeks probe from CM

Manoj Jarange Patil called a press conference on Thursday, October 22, and played an alleged audio clip. The clip makes several serious allegations. It claims that Rs 500 crore was routed to Jarange through Shrikant Shinde. Jarange Patil had made the same allegation at the Dussehra rally, and has now put the clip before the press conference.

The playing of the clip has stirred the state's political climate. Leaders of the Shinde camp have taken a tough stand. The camp wants the alleged audio clip investigated in depth. To this end, it is preparing to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and press for an inquiry.

Jarange Patil asked on what basis talk had begun that Rs 500 crore had been taken from the BJP and delivered to him. The clip claims that the money was given through Shrikant Shinde, the Shinde camp's MP. Jarange then said he intended to get to the bottom of the matter. He said the truth behind these allegations must come out.

Minister Uday Samant also reacted. He said: "If the audio clip is genuine, it is a serious matter. There should be an inquiry into who made the clip viral and whose voice is in it."

MP Naresh Mhaske also said the clip needs a forensic examination. The Shinde camp's position is that the facts will become clear only after the truth of the allegations is tested.

BJP leader Nitesh Rane, on the other hand, criticised Jarange's allegations. He said that mere talk or hearsay is not evidence, and on that basis he objected to Jarange Patil's audio clip.

State politics is currently heated over the alleged clip. With allegations, counter-attacks and demands for an inquiry, all eyes are on the matter. What the inquiry turns up about the clip will be important to watch.