Ramdas Kadam accuses BJP of plot against Shinde over Jarange audio clip

An alleged audio clip released by Maratha reservation agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil appears set to heat up state politics. The clip is claimed to mention a Rs 500 crore transaction and the name of MP Shrikant Shinde. After the alleged clip went viral, Ramdas Kadam, a leader of the Shinde faction, hit back at the BJP and made serious allegations against it.

Kadam called a press conference to attack the BJP. He recalled that two days earlier Jarange Patil had accused Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of corruption worth Rs 500 crore. The next day, Jarange made viral an audio clip related to a money transaction. Kadam held the BJP responsible over this clip.

Kadam asked from whom the BJP had taken a contract to politically finish off and defame Eknath Shinde. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the entire matter.

Kadam said Jarange Patil dines with BJP leader Prasad Lad. At the press conference, he also showed photographs of a meeting between Jarange Patil and Lad. He claimed that Jarange Patil and BJP leaders are together hatching a plot against Eknath Shinde.

Kadam also alleged that Jarange Patil is trying to deceive everyone. According to him, the audio clip Jarange made viral is genuine, and it was given to him by people close to Jarange. Kadam said he would disclose their names too if the time came. He again claimed that Jarange Patil and the BJP have now come together to plot against Eknath Shinde.

Jarange Patil had earlier asked how the audio clip reached Ramdas Kadam first, and how he knew the time and day it would be received. He had asked whether Kadam himself was about to cause a split. Replying to this, Kadam said Jarange Patil was taking a contract and stabbing people in the back. According to Kadam, the BJP has taken up the task of finishing off Eknath Shinde, but all of Jarange's rebellion is now coming to light. He said the clip played by Jarange was not made with AI. He also warned that one day the Maratha community itself would ruin Jarange.

Kadam said he has written directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding an inquiry. He said it should be investigated and made public who within the BJP is trying to finish off Eknath Shinde.

Kadam warned that if anyone has taken a contract to defame or finish off Eknath Shinde, the Maratha community will never forgive or spare that person.