Jarange Audio Clip Row: Raut Trying To Create Rift, But BJP-Sena United, Claims MLC Lad

BJP MLC Prasad Lad on Saturday sought to counter the perception that the Manoj Jarange audio clip controversy had widened differences between his party and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, both constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.Leaders of the two parties have engaged in a verbal tussle over the audio clip released by Jarange on Thursday, which purportedly claims that Rs 500 crore was delivered to the Maratha quota activist through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, also the son of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam had, on Friday, accused Jarange of colluding with a section of the BJP to politically "finish a Maratha leader", an apparent reference to Deputy CM Shinde.

On Saturday, Lad told reporters that Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut be named as the main accused and conspirator in the controversial audio clip row.

"Raut has attempted to create a rift between the BJP and Shiv Sena, but the two parties will continue to work together," Lad said while asserting that Ramdas Kadam was a "respected elder".

"The BJP has responded to his (Kadam's) comments. Shiv Sena's Uday Samant also held a press conference and declared the issue closed. Samant had spoken to me over phone after discussions with Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. If Kadam has decided to end the matter, then BJP would also consider it closed," Lad said.

The BJP MLC also referred to reports that Fadnavis had spoken to Kadam on Saturday and advised him against making remarks that could damage the Mahayuti alliance.

"We respect Eknath Shinde and regard him as our elder brother. If this has happened, the matter is closed from our side as well, and nobody from the BJP will discuss it further," Lad claimed.

The BJP, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and RPI (A), all part of the Mahayuti, are united, Lad added.