MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat is once again in the dock after his half-naked video surfaced on social media. A bag full of cash was also seen near his bed.
Opposition demanded the resignation of the Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat, stating that this is not the first case in which he was caught red-handed.
NCP SP spokesperson Clyde Crasto asked if Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister and also the Home Minister, would show courage and take action against the corrupt minister who gets cash as kickbacks.
He said, "Therefore, Shinde's MLA got the tag, '50 Kokhe, Sab Kuch Okay.'
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut was the first to share a video of Shinde Sena leader and social justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, purportedly showing him in possession of a big bag full of cash at his residence.
Raut further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should take note of this video.
In the video, Shiv Sena Minister Shirsat can be seen sitting in his bedroom in a super luxury apartment, smoking a cigarette, talking over the phone, and a bag containing a stash of cash, half open, near his bed.
In the video, a pet dog can also be seen in his bedroom. The value of the residence where the Sena minister stays is touted between Rs 25-30 crore.
Raut in a social media message in Hindi said, "This thrilling video should be watched by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah! What's going on in the country! (This video of a Maharashtra minister says a lot)".
Sanjay Shirsat, defending himself, called the video a pre-planned conspiracy to frame him. He said that even if the video is from his bedroom, he was not aware not about the suitcase that had money.
He further explained that he had come from his constituency and was tired; therefore, he took off his clothes to relax. “I suspect that someone might have shot the video by placing the money bag. My bag had only clothes, not money. The false narrative has been created to defame me, my party and government,” Shirsat said.
Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat is also facing a high-level inquiry in the purchase of luxury hotel VITS at Rs 65 crore against the market rate of Rs 120 crore in Sambhaji Nagar. It was alleged that Shirsat rigged the entire tender process to get the hotel. CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level inquiry into this hotel purchase scam. Moreover, Shirsat had also received the income tax notice.
In 2019, his official declared income was Rs 3 crore, while that has increased to Rs 12 crore in 2024, as mentioned in election affidavits. The complaints were registered as Shirsat's income source for the rise in income and assets were raised.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that Sanjay Shirsat should immediately resign if he has any morality left; if he is not resigning, then the CM Devendra Fadnavis should immediately sack the minister.