BJP set ‘honeytraps’ to bring down MVA government, alleges Sanjay Raut

A “honeytrap operation” was used to bring down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)-led Maharashtra government in 2022, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray or UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged on Monday (July 21, 2025), claiming that at least “16 to 17 MLAs”, apart from four MPs had been “trapped” with compromising videos and surveillance. 

“Praful Lodha, who is closely associated with [Chief Minister] Devendra Fadnavis, headed this honeytrap operation, and the photograph showing Lodha with Mr. Fadnavis needs to be probed,” Mr. Raut told media persons. 

Ministers had gambling habits, Mr. Raut said, resulting in a decline in the State’s political culture. He asked the media to interview Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Eknath Khadse on the honeytrap issue, which Mr. Raut claimed would reveal a great deal. 

The police were conducting raids to find four pen drives and two CDs having sensitive footage involving sitting legislators, all of which eventually linked to Mr. Lodha, he claimed.

“The blackmailers are now blackmailed. The visual evidence is there, and the operation is conducted from Jalgaon, Jamner, Nashik, Delhi, and other places,” Mr. Raut said in another set of accusations, going on to add that BJP Minister Girish Mahajan was possibly complicit.