Did a 'Honeytrap Operation' Lead to the Formation of the BJP-Shinde Government in Maharashtra in 2022? Will BJP investigate its own sex scandal??

Key Points:

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has alleged that a large-scale honeytrap operation was orchestrated to bring down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2022. According to Raut, the operation was spearheaded by Praful Lodha—a businessman allegedly linked to BJP minister Girish Mahajan—and involved the use of compromising videos to blackmail MLAs and MPs into defecting.

In an editorial published in Saamana, Shiv Sena's mouthpiece, these claims were echoed with further revelations. It alleged that hidden cameras and Pegasus-like spyware were deployed to surveil and entrap opposition leaders. Pegasus, developed by Israel's NSO Group, is notorious for enabling invasive state surveillance. The editorial claimed that a similar system was deployed on a massive scale to gather blackmail material.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, former Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra, also alleged that MLAs and MPs were blackmailed, asserting that his claims should be taken seriously given his past position.

Praful Lodha was arrested by Mumbai Police on charges of raping a woman and sexually abusing two minor girls. He is also accused of running a politically motivated honeytrap racket. During his arrest, police seized laptops, mobile phones, pen drives, and CDs containing alleged sensitive videos and data of over 70 individuals, including sitting ministers and MLAs.

Sanjay Raut claimed the rebellion was not political but the outcome of a calculated honeytrap operation. He alleged that Lodha, who had close ties with Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Girish Mahajan, used compromising material to coerce legislators into switching sides. Raut said that four serving Maharashtra ministers, several bureaucrats, and Shiv Sena MPs were targeted. He also released a video in which Lodha appears to threaten Mahajan, claiming he could destroy his career with a single button press. Former BJP leader Eknath Khadse, now with NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), backed Raut’s claims, stating that Lodha had dangerous secrets and was likely arrested to silence him.

According to Raut, 16–17 MLAs and 4 MPs were blackmailed into defecting, leading to the fall of the MVA government. The rebellion, initially supported by only 9–10 MLAs, was led by Eknath Shinde, who later became Chief Minister with BJP backing. The number of rebel MLAs reportedly increased after the alleged honeytrap materials were used as leverage.

The Saamana editorial claimed that once Shinde was handed the pen drive containing the compromising videos, he relocated the rebel MLAs to Surat, then Guwahati, and finally Goa. These moves, it said, resembled a political thriller—designed to isolate the rebels from media and public scrutiny while consolidating support.

The editorial also alleged that Fadnavis, then Leader of the Opposition, along with officials in the Home Department, facilitated the blackmail and defections. Shiv Sena (UBT) claims this was a coordinated misuse of state machinery.

BJP MLA of Jamner taluka Girish Mahajan denied having any special connection with Lodha, stating that he has photos with leaders from all political parties. He called Raut’s allegations “foolish” and politically motivated. Chief Minister Fadnavis previously told the Assembly that no such honeytrap case existed, a claim Raut labelled as false. BJP’s Maharashtra President Chandrashekhar Bawankule also dismissed the allegations, suggesting that Raut was trying to remain politically relevant after losing power. BJP leaders argue that having photos with someone does not prove criminal involvement.

Opposition parties—including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction)—have demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or CBI inquiry into the honeytrap scandal. So far, only preliminary arrests have been made, with no major investigation initiated. Raut and Saamana allege that the BJP is deliberately suppressing a full inquiry to protect its leadership before the 2025 Maharashtra elections.

The Saamana editorial called for the immediate removal of ministers allegedly involved in the scandal, including Sanjay Shirsat, Yogesh Kadam, Dada Bhuse (Shiv Sena), and Manik Kokate (NCP), citing serious concerns about their conduct. It hinted at a possible cabinet reshuffle, suggesting that some ministers appeared to be compromised or under immense pressure.

Whether or not the government pursues a full-scale investigation may ultimately depend on whether Praful Lodha—or others with inside knowledge—choose to disclose the full extent of the operation. [Rh/VP]

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