Sarnaik tells Jarange to float own party, accuses him of deliberately targeting Shinde

Maharashtra politics is heated over the audio clip, said to involve Rs 500 crore, that Manoj Jarange Patil brought out. BJP leaders and leaders of the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena are trading charges and counter-charges. Minister Pratap Sarnaik has now targeted Jarange Patil.

Sarnaik gave Jarange a direct political piece of advice: he should form his own political party.

Speaking to the media, Sarnaik questioned Jarange's role. He alleged that Jarange is deliberately criticising Eknath Shinde. In Sarnaik's view, as a political leader grows bigger, the criticism directed at the leader grows too.

He also claimed that it was Eknath Shinde who has done the most for justice to the Maratha community. Sarnaik said in a taunting tone that if Jarange wants to play a political role, he should set up his own party.

The row stems from the audio clip that Jarange released a few days ago. The clip is said to claim that Rs 500 crore was to be paid through Shrikant Shinde. Jarange had put questions to Eknath Shinde over this clip. Leaders of the Shinde faction then replied to Jarange's allegations. As a result, the atmosphere within the Mahayuti has grown even hotter.

Sarnaik also reacted to the murder of Pradip Purnekar, a Thackeray faction division chief, in Thane. He said the murder is serious and that the government has ordered an investigation. He also alleged that the incident is being used for political gain.

Meanwhile, an important step has been taken for State Transport (ST) employees. To enable salaries to be paid to officials and employees of the ST Corporation before Diwali, the Maharashtra government has approved the release of Rs 391 crore to the Corporation. The amount is to reimburse passenger concessions for September 2026.