Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday ordered a forensic investigation into a controversial audio clip that has triggered fresh tensions within the ruling alliance, after Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam alleged that a section of the BJP was conspiring with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to politically "finish" Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The clip, released by Jarange, purportedly contains a claim that Rs 500 crore was routed to the activist through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde.
Fadnavis said the audio clip would be thoroughly examined using forensic methods.
Speaking after voting in the election for the Nagpur Graduates' constituency of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Fadnavis said a delegation from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena had sought an investigation. The party has also questioned some BJP leaders whose names have emerged in connection with the audio clip.
"We all have the same question: why have these conversations emerged now, after two and a half years? What exactly are the motives behind their emergence? Who is being targeted? For what purpose? There are many questions in this regard," Fadnavis said.
He said Jarange had also demanded an investigation. "The Shiv Sena delegation has sought a probe, and the BJP has done so too. Even Jarange has demanded an investigation. Therefore, the matter will certainly be thoroughly investigated using forensic methods, and we will uncover whatever truth there is," the Chief Minister said.
Jarange released the audio clip in Jalna on Thursday, alleging that a conspiracy had been planned to silence him and weaken the Maratha agitation. He made the recording public after Shinde challenged him to prove his allegation that the Deputy Chief Minister had obtained Rs 500 crore from the BJP and routed it through his son, Shrikant Shinde.
In the widely circulated audio clip, a woman is allegedly heard claiming that Rs 500 crore had been delivered to Jarange through Shrikant Shinde. The speakers are also purportedly heard discussing ways to counter Jarange's growing political influence in the Marathwada region ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections.
One speaker allegedly suggests countering Jarange indirectly, saying that his campaign portraying the BJP as anti-Maratha could pose a major electoral challenge.
Hours after Fadnavis announced the investigation, Kadam held a press conference in Mumbai and accused Jarange of misleading the Maratha community, creating divisions between groups and being involved in state tender processes.
"You are trying to hatch a conspiracy to finish a Maratha leader by colluding with the BJP," Kadam said, in an apparent reference to Shinde.
Kadam asked who within the BJP was trying to undermine Shinde. He said the names of BJP MLCs Pravin Darekar and Prasad Lad, both considered close to the Chief Minister, had emerged in connection with the controversy. He also displayed photographs showing Lad and Jarange having a meal together.
"Who are the ones in the BJP trying to finish Eknath Shinde?" Kadam asked.
The former minister said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Fadnavis, seeking a detailed forensic examination of the audio clip. Kadam also warned that if Jarange targeted Shinde, the community would turn against him, according to PTI.
The controversy has prompted demands for an investigation from the Shiv Sena, the BJP and Jarange, with Fadnavis assuring a thorough forensic probe to establish the facts behind the recording.
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