Did You Take Rs 500 Crore From BJP To Silence Me?’: Manoj Jarange’s Direct Challenge To Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Silent At Dussehra Mela, Suspense Grows

MUMBAI / BEED: The political temperature rose on Dussehra day after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil directly challenged Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over an alleged Rs 500 crore payment from the BJP.

Speaking at his Dussehra rally at Narayangad in Beed district, Jarange said:

“Whatever I heard apparently happened two and a half years ago. I have come to know from some leaders that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told the BJP leadership that they should pay Rs 500 crore to Jarange-Patil to silence him.”

He added:

“I want to know from Eknath Shinde whether this is true. Has he paid me Rs 500 crore? It is claimed that he paid me Rs 500 crore through his son Shrikant Shinde. Rs 500 crore is not a small amount. This is a big conspiracy against me.”_

 Jarange gave Shinde a deadline to respond:

“Shinde should reply to my question either in today’s Dussehra rally or by tomorrow. I have proof of this claim with me, and I can reveal it. This proof will shake the ground under your feet.”

 He also alleged that the claim was circulated to defame him and said he would distribute the money among drought-affected people if he had received it.

Shinde’s Reaction:

 Eknath Shinde addressed his party’s Dussehra Mela today and spoke for a long time, but he did not respond to Jarange’s Rs 500 crore challenge, increasing suspense in political circles.

Shiv Sena’s Response:

 Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Lakhe Patil on Tuesday threatened to file a defamation suit seeking *Re 1 in damages* from Jarange.

“If you know the details of the alleged payment, you must also name the BJP leader who gave you this information,” Lakhe Patil said, giving Jarange until Wednesday evening to disclose the name.

 He alleged Jarange was acting at the behest of someone within the BJP and was being used as a tool by certain people. He also accused Jarange of compromising the sanctity of the Narayangad pilgrimage site by making the allegations there.

The allegation has not been independently verified.

Other Issues Raised By Jarange:

 At the same rally, Jarange also alleged there was a conspiracy to kill him and claimed he possessed evidence of a 30-40 minute confidential discussion on the plot. He also criticised the state government over drought relief, calling the Rs 5,000 per family relief meagre, and demanded Rs 1 lakh per hectare compensation, clearance of pending crop insurance dues, and an unconditional waiver of farm loans.

He also urged the Maratha community to defeat political leaders opposing reservation in the 2029 elections.

 Political circles are now waiting to see whether Shinde will respond before Jarange’s deadline ends tomorrow morning.