Eknath Shinde announces probe as BJP MLC claims Sharad Pawar plotted Maratha unrest with Jarange-Patil

After Maharashtra BJP MLC Pravin Darekar demanded Manoj Jarange-Patil’s arrest over his remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and claimed that Sharad Pawar had conspired with the Maratha reservation activist to create unrest, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced an inquiry.

“The SIT (special investigation team) will be formed and it will conduct its probe and all the things will be revealed,” Shinde said in the state legislature.

Alleging that NCP chief Sharad Pawar was behind Patil’s agitation, Darekar claimed that a conspiracy was hatched in Congress MLA Rajesh Tope’s factory and that NCP MLA Rohit Pawar was also involved in it.

“This conspiracy behind stone-pelting (in Antarwali Sarati village during Patil’s hunger strike last year) took place at Rajesh Tope’s factory. Rohit Pawar himself was there along with Rajesh Tope. All these should be investigated by the SIT. Sangeeta Wankhede (a former associate of Patil) has said that Patil was receiving calls from Sharad Pawar,” the BJP legislator said.

Darekar also raised questions about expenses incurred in Patil’s rallies. If Union minister Narayan Rane can be arrested just because he said he might have slapped the chief minister, why is Manoj Jarange Patil not arrested yet, he asked.

As members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, including Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve and NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar MLC Shashikant Shinde, objected to Darekar’s comments and ruling MLCs got into arguments with them, a ruckus ensued and Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe adjourned the House for a few minutes.

On Sunday, Patil allegedly used derogatory language against Fadnavis and alleged that the BJP leader was trying to eliminate him. Patil said he would march to Mumbai and protest outside Fadnavis’s official residence.

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