MUMBAI: The simmering strife between the two Mahayuti partners—the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena—resurfaced a day after Sena leaders levelled allegations, claiming that the voices heard in the audio clip, released by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, belonged to BJP functionaries. In the clip, the speakers discuss a ₹ 500 crore payment to the activist allegedly routed through deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s son MP Shrikant Shinde. Sena leaders alleged these conversations show how shrewdly the BJP operates against its political rivals.
Insiders from both parties claim this was the culmination of brewing unease between the two parties. On Friday, Sena leaders alleged that the BJP used the quota activist to malign the deputy chief minister’s image, while BJP leaders hit back, warning their alliance partner against making accusations without evidence.
It must be established why they have been released now and who is behind this act. BJP MLC Pravin Darekar is heard speaking in the tape. Shinde saab trusted the BJP and joined hands with the party. Why then is the BJP worried about him? Our leader is being backstabbed. An investigation should reveal who is operating against Shinde. BJP’s Darekar, a close aide of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, retaliated, at a separate press meet, saying, “BJP will not tolerate attempts to blame or malign the party and its leaders without evidence. As such public attacks damage the Mahayuti alliance, Kadam should exercise restraint, and allow the investigation ordered by the government to establish the truth. “The tapes are two-and-a-half years old. The investigation will also reveal whether someone is being targeted through these recordings. “In response, deputy CM Eknath Shinde visited Tiger Shroff within hours of the firing incident and assured him that the culprits would be apprehended and punished. Further tracing the threads of animosity, a BJP leader pointed to friction between the two parties in elections to five legislative council seats, where they fielded candidates against each other in Pune and other constituencies. The latest controversy over Jarange-Patil’s recordings has added a new dimension to the tensions, with both allies demanding accountability from each other even as the government orders a forensic investigation.
the leader said it now appears to have reached a peak Although the tussle has been brewing since the government was formed in December 2024.
Alleging that the BJP was using the Maratha activist to tarnish Shinde’s image, Kadam said at a press meet: “The party uses other sources to funnel money. Jarange-Patil has sought an inquiry, and our government will ensure that the truth comes out through a thorough investigation,” Fadnavis said. Fadnavis met Purnekar’s son, assuring justice will be delivered, while BJP leader and forest minister Ganesh Naik visited the family in Thane – both acts, purportedly aimed to put pressure on Sena, said a party leader. This has been seen as an attempt by Shinde to establish his own political standing against the chief minister,” said the Sena leader.
