Maratha Leader Jarange Patil Accuses Eknath Shinde of Rs 500 Crore Deal
Manoj Jarange Patil claims Deputy CM Eknath Shinde received funds from BJP to end Maratha reservation protests.
Manoj Jarange Patil alleges Eknath Shinde took Rs 500 crore from BJP.
Shinde is urged to clarify the allegations within two days.
Shiv Sena's Ramdas Kadam defends Shinde, questioning Patil's credibility.
In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has accused Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of accepting Rs 500 crore from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to terminate the ongoing Maratha reservation agitation. This claim has intensified the ongoing tensions between the two leaders, with Patil asserting that senior BJP officials informed him about the alleged transaction.
Patil has stated that he was made aware of the supposed payment, which he claims was funneled through Shinde's son, Dr. Shrikant Shinde. He emphasized his commitment to the Maratha community, declaring, "I have neither taken money from anyone nor decided to end the fight for Maratha reservations. I will continue to fight for the community." Patil has demanded that Shinde clarify the truth of these allegations within the next two days, highlighting the seriousness of the claim given the substantial amount involved.
The Maratha leader expressed concerns about a larger conspiracy aimed at undermining both the Maratha protest and his personal reputation. He mentioned possessing evidence to support his claims, which he intends to reveal at an appropriate time. This assertion adds a layer of complexity to the already charged political atmosphere surrounding the Maratha reservation issue.
In response to Patil's allegations, Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam has come to Shinde's defense, accusing Patil of attempting to tarnish Shinde's image. Kadam pointed out that Shinde enjoys the support of 65 MLAs and 17 Lok Sabha MPs, suggesting that Patil's credibility is in question. He urged Patil to present any evidence he claims to possess, framing the situation as a matter of public interest.
Kadam further criticized Patil's hunger strike, suggesting it was insincere, and called for a high-level inquiry into the allegations made by Patil. As the political drama unfolds, the implications for both the Maratha reservation movement and the Maharashtra government remain significant, with potential repercussions for the upcoming political landscape in the state.
