Daijiworld Media Network - Beed

Beed, Oct 20: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil on Monday alleged that there was a conspiracy to kill him and claimed that he possessed evidence of discussions about the alleged plot. He also alleged that claims linking him to Rs 500 crore had been circulated to defame him.

Speaking at the Dussehra rally at Narayan Gad in Beed, Jarange claimed that he had obtained a recording of a confidential discussion lasting 30 to 40 minutes in which, he alleged, people discussed how to kill him. He claimed that the conversation mentioned a former chief minister but did not publicly establish the allegation with evidence during the address.

Jarange also questioned allegations that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had received Rs 500 crore from the BJP and that the money had been passed on to his son, Shrikant Shinde, before reaching Jarange. He said he wanted the matter investigated to establish who was behind the claims.

“If I had received the money, I would have distributed it among people affected by drought,” Jarange said, adding that he wanted to know whether the alleged money trail was intended to target him or Shinde.

The activist further accused the state government of holding cabinet meetings against the interests of the Maratha community. He alleged that a recent cabinet subcommittee meeting did not adequately discuss the demand to recognise Marathas and Kunbis as one community for reservation purposes.

Jarange warned that if the government rejected demands without proper consideration, it could also affect Kunbi certificate issuance and assistance to farmers. His allegations at the rally triggered fresh political controversy over the Maratha reservation issue.