Yogesh Kadam slams Jarange over audio clip, says he is speaking at someone's bidding

Politics in Maharashtra has heated up again over the Maratha reservation issue. Manoj Jarange had played an audio clip at a press conference, and a fresh controversy has arisen over it. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, speaking in Ratnagiri, has launched a sharp attack over the clip.

Kadam said the clip features two third parties talking to each other and there is no solid proof of it. The Shiv Sena leader told the media that levelling baseless allegations against the Chief Minister on the strength of such an audio clip is utterly wrong.

Making a very serious charge, Kadam said a "100 per cent political conspiracy and dirty politics" is plainly visible behind the whole matter. According to him, Jarange is not speaking of his own accord but is making such statements after taking someone's contract. Kadam also said in plain words that no thought has been given to the interest of the Maratha community in this entire episode.

Kadam also recalled the work of the then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He said Shinde had made honest and significant efforts to secure 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community. He said the reservation Shinde gave was also made to stand in court. In that sense, Shinde has done valuable work for the Maratha community.

According to Kadam, Jarange should be ashamed of continually criticising and making false allegations against such a popular leader. He said that trying to gain political advantage by presenting an audio clip without any solid proof is deeply unfortunate. Kadam alleged that Jarange has now himself eroded the credibility he had built earlier.

Kadam also said there is now suspicion that the Maratha reservation movement is being used for political selfishness. According to him, the allegations are being made out of political ambition rather than concern for the Maratha community.

He was asked whether an attempt is being made after the audio clip to create a rift in the Mahayuti and spoil the atmosphere. Kadam replied that these political allegations will have no effect on relations within the Mahayuti.

Kadam said the Shiv Sena and the BJP are both working with great strength and unity for Maharashtra's development. He said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have done highly effective work in the state in two and a half years. Earlier, when Fadnavis was Chief Minister, Shinde had given him full support. Now Fadnavis stands firmly with Shinde. Supporting each other in this way, all the Mahayuti leaders are working to take the state forward.

Minister Kadam said in conclusion that the Mahayuti's atmosphere will not be spoiled at all by the needless and baseless statements of one man.