Audio clip of Gujarat BJP Treasurer, rebel MLA stirs row

A day after police filed an extortion complaint against rebel BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya, an audio clip having purported conversation between him and Gujarat BJP Treasurer Surendra Patel, where they are discussing money matters, surfaced today.
In the clip, Kotadiya is heard saying a builder, who is his friend's son-in-law, has agreed to pay Rs 4 crore as party fund if the state government gives permission for construction on an agriculture land owned by the realtor. The land is situated in Laxmipura village on the city's outskirts.
On other side, Patel says the permission has already been given at the "CM's level", and he had no role in it.

As the issue created ripples in political circles, especially in BJP, party spokesperson Bharat Pandya promptly came out with a clarification, denying any involvement of the government or the ruling party in the matter. He said the MLA from Dhari, Amreli district is wrongfully dragging the government and BJP in his personal matter.
"The entire issue is related to a personal transaction between a builder and Kotadiya. As the deal did not go through, an FIR was registered against Kotadiya yesterday.
"Thus, the government is no way involved in it. It is wrong on part of Kotadiya to make baseless allegations against BJP or government," said Pandya.

In the audio clip, possibly recorded by Kotadiya through his phone and which went viral today, he first asks Patel to clarify whether he had played any role in clearing the file of the builder, Haresh Vasani.

"Haresh is my friend's son-in-law. In the past, I wrote a letter to the government to clear his land in Laxmipura. Now, some reports alleged I took money for this favour. When I met Haresh, he told me he got clearance because of your intervention. So, I want to know what is the truth, because I have not taken any money," Kotadiya is heard telling Patel.

Kotadiya, who sounds upset about reports he had taken money in lieu of his favour to the builder, says he will call a press conference to make things clear.
In his reply, Patel says the nod for construction on the land had been granted at the "CM's level", and he was not involved in the decision.
"This was done from Ben's (an apparent refence to CM Anandiben Patel) level. I am not involved in it. People from Khodaldham Trust became mediators in that. I have not taken any money. There is no need to clarify anything to media. Just leave this issue," said Patel.

Not satisfied with the answer, Kotadiya claimed the builder has agreed to give Rs 4 crore to BJP as party fund if his file is cleared.
The FIR was filed against Kotadiya on a complaint by builder Madhubhai Vasani (a relative of Haresh), who alleged the MLA demanded Rs 2 crore from him, a charge he denied.