BJP’s Vinod Tawde Accused Of Cash Distribution On Maharashtra Polls Eve; Former Minister Issues Denial – News18

Last Updated:November 19, 2024, 17:15 IST

The allegations were made by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur, who accused Tawde of distributing cash to woo voters

Vinod Tawde accused of distributing cash in Maharashtra (Video screengrabs/Social Media)

As Maharashtra gears up for tomorrow’s crucial polling day, a major controversy has erupted on Tuesday after BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde was accused of distributing cash.

The allegations were made by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur, who accused Tawde of distributing cash to woo voters at the Vivanta Hotel in Virar, Maharashtra’s Palghar district.

Speaking to reporters, Thakur claimed, “Some BJP leaders informed me that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde is coming to Virar to disburse Rs 5 crore to influence voters. I thought a national leader like him would not stoop to such a trivial task. But I saw him here. I urge the Election Commission to take action against him and the BJP.”

The BVA legislator further alleged the hotel Tawde was staying had shut CCTV recording. “The hotel administration seems to be in cahoots with Tawde and the BJP. They only activated their CCTV after we requested it,” he said, news agency PTI reported.

FIR Registered 

An FIR was also registered against Tawde by the Election Commission for violating the model code of conduct. However, it is not related to the allegations of cash distribution.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya clarified the matter on X, stating: “The FIR against BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde is not in the context of money, as is being circulated in the media and the opposition is saying. This action has been taken in the matter of appearing in another assembly constituency after the end of election campaign. One cannot go to another assembly constituency until 48 hours after the election campaign ends. This FIR has been filed for violation of the code of conduct.”

Tawde Denies Allegations

In response to the allegations, Tawde denied the claims made by the BVA workers and called for an impartial investigation by the Election Commission.

“A meeting of workers was being held in the Nalasopara Assembly constituency, where we were explaining the election day code of conduct, such as how to seal the voting machines, how the final seal should be applied, and the necessary steps in case of objections. I had gone there to explain these points. However, the workers of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi believed we were distributing money. The Election Commission should conduct an inquiry, the police should investigate, and the CCTV footage should be examined. The Election Commission must carry out an impartial investigation,” Tawde explained.

Protest erupts 

Workers of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi were seen protesting and raising slogans in Virar, as they surrounded Tawde, videos widely shared on social media showed. They also claimed to have found a diary containing detailed records of the alleged cash distribution.

A heavy police presence was called in to manage the situation.

Row Erupts

The allegations have triggered a uproar, with reactions pouring in from across the state’s political spectrum. A video shared by the Congress party showed Bahujan Vikas Aghadi supporters waving currency notes in front of Tawde.

“BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde has been caught distributing money in a hotel in Maharashtra. Vinod Tawde had taken the money in a bag and was calling people there and distributing the money,” a rough translation of Congress’s tweet in Hindi suggested.

“When the public came to know about this news, there was a huge uproar. Many videos of Vinod Tawde with money are coming out,” the party wrote, urging the Election Commission to take cognisance of the matter.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reposted the video and also dragged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his comment. He sarcastically remarked, “Modiji, from whose SAFE did these 5 crores come? Who looted the public’s money and sent you in the tempo?”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray also said, “Based on the evidence, action should be taken. Otherwise, Maharashtra will take action on its own…”

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule commented, “It is shocking that a national leader of such a big party is distributing money. This is very dangerous for any democracy. If people want to get elected by distributing money then what should people like us do? Is there morality in this country or not? I publicly condemn this distribution of money. It should be investigated.”

BJP Says ‘Baseless’ Allegations

Meanwhile, in response to the allegations against Tawde, the BJP has dismissed them as baseless, accusing the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of making the claims as a “last attempt” to create controversy ahead of the election.

Addressing the media in New Delhi following the reports of the allegations, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi clarified, “Vinod Tawde is our National Secretary and is looking after several functions of the party… The candidate of the (Nalasopara) constituency asked him to attend the meeting. He was passing from nearby, so he agreed… Such meetings are done to instruct the party workers regarding the polling process.”

Trivedi further stressed, “We insist that the CCTV of the hotel and the nearby areas be checked… Rs. 5 crores cannot be brought in a pocket. It would be visible if someone were carrying it… They should show proof and not make baseless allegations.”

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly will be held on November 20 and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.

(With inputs from Mayuresh Ganapatye)