BJP leader Vinod Tawde is accused of trying to buy votes, the Maharashtra assembly elections have been tainted by controversy. This comes after election officials recovered almost ₹10 lakh in cash from a hotel connected to Tawde’s team during a raid in the Palghar district. There have been allegations of cash distribution to sway voters following the raid, which was carried out in response to a tip from Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) members.
The Allegations
When BVA employees claimed that BJP leaders were giving out money to win votes, the dispute broke out. Tawde’s personal assistant was connected to a suitcase that purportedly included cash, documents, and diaries with the names of the recipients. As he was caught on camera being heckled by supporters of a rival party. Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena was among the opposition leaders who denounced the BJP, calling the incident “note jihad” and charging the party with compromising election integrity.
BJP Leader Vinod Tawde Denied the Allegation
In the meantime, following instructions from the Election Commission (EC), Tawde cancelled an evening press conference.
In response to the accusations, Tawde emphasized his dedication to openness while vehemently disputing the assertions. “MLAs from Nalasopara were gathering to talk about addressing objections, sealing voting machines, and the model code of conduct. Kshitij and Appa Thakur misinterpreted and believed we were giving out money,” Tawde said.
“Let the Election Commission and Police inquire, and let them get CCTV footage,” he said, calling for an unbiased investigation. For forty years, I have been a part of the party. Everyone in the party knows me, even Appa Thakur and Kshitij. I think a comprehensive investigation should be carried out by the Election Commission.
Later, when speaking to reporters, Tawde stated that he was not there to disburse funds but rather to offer advice on election processes.
Who Filed FIR Against Vinod Tawde ?
Investigations are being conducted into the FIR that the Election Commission filed against Tawde. With elections scheduled for November 20 for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats, the cash seizure has clouded the electoral process. The incident has heightened the already tense election atmosphere, even though BJP leaders rejected the allegations as opposition propaganda.