Day after Sena MLA Dalvi’s video, second clip surfaces showing Minister Bharat Gogawale

Responding to the fresh allegations, Gogawale dismissed the charges and said he was ready for any investigation. “If I had so much money, I would have bought a house in Mumbai. Even today, I do not own one,” he said.

Gogawale further said that in his 40 years of political career, there had been no accusations of wrongdoing against him. “Let them verify everything. We are ready to face any inquiry,” he said, adding that Patil was like a daughter to him but must produce evidence to support her claims.

The back-to-back videos have intensified the political battle in Raigad, where friction between the NCP and the Shiv Sena in the ruling Mahayuti has already been high.

After Danve’s release of the first clip, NCP leader Sunil Tatkare and Sena MLA Dalvi exchanged sharp remarks, accusing each other of political games and questioning each other’s integrity.

Tatkare demanded that central agencies examine the Dalvi video, while Dalvi hit back, calling Tatkare a ‘saint of politics’ in a pointed retort.

The latest video has now widened the divide. Gogawale claimed that efforts were being made to malign him because his party was gaining ground in the Raigad district, which was in news over the conflict between Sena and NCP over the post of guardian minister and there is a long tussle between Sena leaders including Gogawale and Tatkare in the district.

He hinted at political motives behind the allegations but refrained from naming anyone directly. “We are moving ahead, so some people want to weaken us. But the public knows who we are,” he said.

Gogawale also referred to the earlier ties between Tatkare and Dalvi, suggesting that their past closeness has now turned into hostility.

He defended his own stand, saying, “We are men of our word. We do not act in desperation. If we wanted to, forty of us shifted power earlier as well.” Taking a swipe at Danve, he added that the Sena (UBT) leader was “caught between positions” and should at least “maintain some dignity.”