Rs 500 Crore Bribe Allegation: Jarange Patil Demands PM Modi, CM Fadnavis Probe Viral Audio
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil seeks PM Modi and CM Fadnavis's intervention to probe a viral audio clip alleging a Rs 500 crore bribe.
Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has ramped up his demands for a high-level investigation following the emergence of a viral audio clip investigation. The controversial recording alleges that Jarange Patil was paid a staggering Rs 500 crore by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde—son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde—acting on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The alleged payout was purportedly intended to dismantle and weaken the Maratha reservation movement.
Call for Top-Level Intervention
Addressing a press conference in Jalna on Saturday, Jarange Patil called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Eknath Shinde to intervene immediately. The activist claimed that a deep-rooted conspiracy is being orchestrated to defame him and silence the agitation of the Maratha community.
Expressing his frustration, Jarange questioned why he is being targeted for defamation simply for championing the rights of farmers and the Maratha community. He insisted that the investigation must be thorough to uncover the true motives of those behind the clip.
"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sahib and Shinde sahib should deploy a full SIT team and ensure they are not left alone; that is our request and demand to them. We want to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji as well. Modi sahib needs to pay attention to this matter," Jarange stated.
Demands for Accountability
Jarange Patil emphasized that if any worker or leader from the BJP or Shiv Sena is found to be involved in this plot, the senior leadership of those parties must take strict action. He stressed that he would not allow the issue of the alleged Rs 500 crore to fade away and vowed to monitor the situation closely for the next month.
While demanding a probe, Jarange also raised the possibility that the entire episode could be a calculated attempt to defame MP Shrikant Shinde. He asserted that the truth must be revealed and the guilty held accountable regardless of their position.
A 'Strategic Conspiracy' Against Marathas
The activist, known for his relentless pursuit of Maratha reservation under the OBC category, accused political operatives of attempting to dismantle the movement through backroom orchestrations. He warned that such tactics threaten both the progress of the community and the stability of the ruling coalition.
Jarange urged both the state and central governments to conduct parallel investigations. He questioned the intentions of those trying to end the movement, noting that the Maratha community has risked their lives to fight for their rights. "The Maratha society must not be destroyed. With this thought, they are preparing a strategic conspiracy," he added.
Political Fallout and Opposition Reaction
The controversy has already drawn fire from the opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar slammed the Mahayuti alliance, questioning the sincerity of the government's promise to investigate.
Pednekar dismissed the ruling alliance's internal dynamics as "drama," suggesting that those who split the original Shiv Sena (UBT) and Balasaheb Thackeray’s organization are now fighting among themselves. She challenged the Chief Minister to bring the investigation findings before the public rather than merely promising a probe, claiming the entire situation is an attempt to fool the citizens.