Mumbai, November 19, 2024: A major controversy unfolded in Virar, Mumbai, on Tuesday, a day before Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Vinod Tawde was accused of distributing cash to voters. The incident occurred at a hotel, where workers from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) confronted Tawde, alleging that he had come to bribe voters ahead of the election.
Cash Recovered, FIR Filed
An Election Commission (EC) official confirmed the recovery of nearly ₹9.93 lakh from Tawde’s hotel room. Following the discovery, the police registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the matter.
The controversy escalated over the course of several hours, with BVA workers claiming to have caught Tawde red-handed with the cash. Tawde, however, vehemently denied the allegations and demanded a fair inquiry from the EC.
Press Conference Stopped
Amidst the commotion, it was initially decided that a joint press conference would be held at the hotel, involving Tawde, Hitendra Thakur, Kshitij Thakur, and BJP’s candidate Rajan Naik. However, EC officials intervened and halted the press conference, citing the restriction on such events a day before polling.
Tawde and the Thakur family members left the venue in a car, with Tawde later stating that they were going for lunch.
BVA’s Allegations and BJP’s Denials
The BVA, led by Vasai-Virar MLA Hitendra Thakur, claimed that Tawde had been caught with cash and a diary containing records of cash distribution. Thakur alleged that Tawde had come to Virar with ₹5 crore for voter bribery, a claim he presented alongside the diary, which he later showed to the media.
Thakur further criticized the hotel for allegedly turning off its CCTV cameras during the incident, suggesting that this was done to cover up the money distribution. Tawde, however, insisted that he had visited the hotel for a BJP meeting and denied any involvement in distributing money.
BJP’s Response
BJP leaders swiftly dismissed the allegations, calling them part of a conspiracy to tarnish Tawde’s image. State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule described the accusations as baseless, claiming that the opposition was resorting to such tactics due to their diminishing support.
BJP Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar ridiculed the allegations, pointing out that as a national leader, Tawde would not be involved in such actions at the ward level. He further stated that any claims against opposition leaders, like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, would be swiftly condemned.
Opposition Criticizes BJP
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the opposition alliance, criticized the BJP over the controversy, accusing the ruling party of indulging in corrupt practices. Meanwhile, the EC has promised to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the veracity of the claims.
This incident has put a spotlight on the political climate in Maharashtra on the eve of the elections, adding to the tensions and allegations surrounding the state’s electoral process.
