Maharashtra Elections: BJP Leader Vinod Tawde Accused Of Distributing Cash A Day Before Voting, Here's What He Said

Political tensions in Virar intensified on Tuesday (19 November), a day before Maharashtra went to the polls, as Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) workers accused BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde of attempting to influence voters by distributing cash.

The confrontation occurred at a Virar hotel, where BVA members claimed Tawde was caught with a bag allegedly containing cash and a diary detailing the distribution of Rs 15 crore. Hitendra Thakur, BVA MLA from Vasai-Virar, accused Tawde of bringing Rs 5 crore in cash.

The situation escalated further when Nalasopara MLA Kshitij Thakur, son of Hitendra Thakur, reportedly seized the diary and questioned Tawde's presence in Virar after the official end of campaigning.

Concerns were also raised about the hotel’s non-functional CCTV cameras. "Action should also be taken against the hotel. The cameras were off because money was being distributed," alleged Thakur.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray criticised the BJP, referencing his own bag checks during a visit to Goddess Tulja Bhavani's temple. "My bags were checked, and nothing was found. Yet I hear that cash was recovered from Vinod Tawde's possession. This government must go," he remarked.

The BJP dismissed the accusations as politically motivated. Senior leader Sudhir Mungantiwar called the allegations "absurd," emphasising Tawde's position as a national general secretary and questioning the plausibility of such claims.

BJP leader Atul Bhatkhalkar labeled the accusations a “false narrative” crafted by opposition parties fearing electoral defeat. The incident has further polarised the political climate as Maharashtra gears up for a critical election.

In his defence, Tawde said that he was there to brief the workers of the Nalasopara area about the Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting like how voting machines will be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made.

However, he supported an impartial investigation by the Election Commission. "Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, the entire party knows me. But let the Election Commission and Police inquire, let them get CCTV footage."