Detractors now trying to establish 'Rs 500 cr' audio clip is fake, says Jarange; rejects Raut link

Jalna: All efforts are underway to establish that the 'Rs 500 crore' audio clip released by him was fake, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange said here on Sunday.

He also said Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had no link to the audio clip. The Maharashtra BJP has alleged that Raut was behind the clip, which the Rajya Sabha MP brushed aside as baseless.

Also Read: Manoj Jarange releases Rs 500 crore audio clip; Shinde Sena seeks answers from BJP


The audio clip, released by Jarange on Thursday, contained a purported conversation between BJP functionaries about the quota activist being paid Rs 500 crore through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Jarange alleged those who had conspired to undermine the Maratha reservation agitation were shocked after the audio clip surfaced and were now trying to discredit it by claiming it had been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

The viral audio clip was genuine, Jarange asserted while addressing reporters in Ankushnagar here.

Also Read: Jarange audio clip row: Raut trying to create rift, but BJP-Sena united, claims MLC Lad

"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde must ensure a thorough investigation into the recording, including its forensic examination. If the chief minister fails to bring out the truth, it will raise questions about his own involvement in the conspiracy," Jarange claimed.

Those facing questions over the clip were rushing to Delhi to protect themselves, he said without naming anybody.

Alleging that efforts were being made behind the scenes to derail the agitation and defame him, Jarange said he would expose those behind the alleged plot with evidence before the Maratha community and the people of Maharashtra.

Responding to a question, Jarange said, "Raut has no connection with the audio clip. The constituents of the ruling Mahayuti are trying to protect one another instead of bringing out the truth about the clip," he claimed.

"The Maratha community supported the BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, but the ruling alliance was now more concerned about protecting its political interests rather than ensuring justice for the Maratha agitation. You (Mahayuti) are concerned about your alliance, not the Maratha community," he added.

Jarange also urged police to conduct a thorough probe into the death of a farmer in Nanded.

A farmer who had allegedly borrowed Rs 10,000 from a private finance company was found hanging inside its office in Maharashtra's Nanded city, prompting police to register a case of murder and kidnapping against the firm owner and two others.

The family of farmer Chandrakant Shinde (40) claimed the finance company allegedly demanded Rs 70,000 against the loan of Rs 10,000. They claimed the firm's employees confined and fatally assaulted him before hanging his body to pass off the death as a suicide.

"Strict action must be taken against those responsible for the farmer's death," Jarange said.