Mumbai, October 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Political tensions in Maharashtra have escalated over an alleged audio clip claiming that Rs 500 crore was paid to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil through Shrikant Shinde, with Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey defending Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Congress leader Husain Dalwai demanding an investigation.
The controversy erupted after Jarange-Patil released an audio clip alleging a political conspiracy to defame the Maratha reservation agitation and undermine his movement.
A portion of the recording allegedly claims that Rs 500 crore had already reached Jarange-Patil through Shrikant Shinde, while identifying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP as the primary political targets.
Eknath Shinde has denied the allegations and called for a formal investigation to establish whether the audio recording is authentic or potentially fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Defending Shinde, Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey alleged that the Deputy Chief Minister’s reputation was being targeted through accusations based on a recording purportedly dating back two years.
“Our leader Eknath Shinde is a ‘karmaveer’ leader and comes from the Maratha community. Whoever is tarnishing his image will be forgiven neither by the Maratha community of Maharashtra nor by the non-Maratha community,” Dubey told IANS.
He said Shinde worked tirelessly and questioned why an allegedly two-year-old recording was being circulated now.
Dubey also welcomed the decision to order a forensic examination of the audio clip. He said a delegation of Shiv Sena leaders had met the Chief Minister and sought answers about the people heard in the recording and the circumstances in which it was made public.
“The matter will be investigated,” he said, expressing confidence that the inquiry would establish the facts.
Highlighting the political alliance between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, Dubey noted that the two parties were partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Congress leader Husain Dalwai, meanwhile, called for an investigation into the alleged Rs 500-crore transaction and questioned the amount mentioned in the recording.
Dalwai also raised concerns about the demand for Maratha reservation and its possible implications for the existing quota available to Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
He said the demand for reservation was intended to help economically disadvantaged members of the Maratha community access education, employment and assistance for agriculture. However, he questioned how their inclusion in the reservation system would affect communities already covered under the OBC category.
“The second thing is this Rs 500-crore matter. First, count how many zeros there are in one crore. This matter should be investigated,” Dalwai said.
He also criticised Shinde over his political association, suggesting that the Deputy Chief Minister would gradually understand the nature of the party he had joined.
The controversy has added another political dimension to Maharashtra’s ongoing debate over Maratha reservation. The authenticity of the audio recording and the allegations surrounding the purported transaction remain matters for investigation.
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