Probe the Jarange audio clip through an SIT: BJP hits out at Raut

Mumbai: BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban used a press conference to launch a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, and demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to verify the authenticity of an audio clip circulating in the name of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange and to probe the ₹500-crore allegations arising from it. Turning to Raut's support for Rehan Vadra, Ban alleged that the politics of a leader who "mortgages Hindutva for power" had moved away from Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology and reached the point of "serving the Congress". He claimed preparations were under way for a photo-op to back Rehan Vadra. On the Jarange audio clip, Ban said, "In the age of AI, every audio clip cannot be taken as true." He also claimed the clip's context dates back two years, and demanded an impartial probe into the entire matter so that the truth comes out. Questioning the ₹500-crore allegations, he asked: when it is claimed that not a single rupee changed hands, where did the ₹500-crore figure come from? The allegations are serious and the inquiry must be equally serious, he said. Asking "who is behind the audio clip?", Ban pointed to Raut's "one stone, three birds" remark and demanded that the SIT trace the person behind the clip that, he alleged, seeks to defame the BJP, Eknath Shinde and Manoj Jarange. Raising the possibility that the clip was AI-generated, he called for a technical examination. Urging anyone with evidence to submit it to the SIT, Ban said, "Give evidence, not allegations; the truth will emerge only from an inquiry." He noted that the Chief Minister has ordered an SIT probe and said the truth was now awaited. On the allegation that "₹10,000 each" was distributed to graduate and teacher voters, Ban challenged Raut to produce evidence and, referring to candidates in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, claimed the charge had no basis. Attacking the Maha Vikas Aghadi over the Adani-Ambani issue, he said criticising the Adanis and Ambanis on one hand while welcoming them at home on the other was a sign of the opposition's double standards. He also claimed that the reins of power rest with the people, who have faith in the leadership of Modi and Shah. On Supriya Sule's spy-camera allegations, Ban asked: thousands of spy cameras are claimed, but why not a single piece of evidence? He urged her to show the evidence if she has it and to stop the politics of scaring voters. He appealed to graduate and teacher voters not to fall for rumours and to vote fearlessly.