Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that four state ministers and several officials were ‘honeytrapped’. Raut made explosive allegations that a coordinated honeytrap operation was used to topple the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt. He claimed the BJP lured at least 16 to 17 MLAs and four MPs using compromising videos and surveillance. Raut alleged the operation was led by one Prafull Lodha, whom he described as being closely associated with senior BJP netas, including CM Devendra Fadnavis. Raut demanded a probe into a photograph allegedly showing Lodha with Fadnavis, stating that “the mastermind of the honeytrap is part of their cabinet”.“Four ministers in Maharashtra are caught in a honey trap. The CM knows who they are. Praful Lodha, involved in the honey trap case, is in custody,” Raut said in a post on X.Last week, CM Fadnavis dismissed allegations made by Congress MLA Nana Patole on current and former ministers and officials being involved in ‘honey trap’, saying there was no evidence and Patole failed to make any expose. Patole, however, claimed he has a pen drive with proof, but did not want to malign the govt. Raut has rebutted Fadnavis’s claim.NCP (SP) MLC Eknath Khadse said honey traps have started happening in many places in state. “Recently, a case was reported from Nashik, in which 72 officers and some people were trapped, and probe is underway,” Khadse said, adding that cases have been registered against Lodha in two places.Defending himself, Mahajan said Lodha has worked in all parties and has photos with several netas. “He has photos with NCP (SP) neta Jayant Patil and Sharad Pawar too. Khadse is depressed since he has lost on all fronts,” said Mahajan.
