'Cash for votes in Maharashtra?': BJP's Vinod Tawde accused of distributing money in hotel in Virar

MUMBAI: In a dramatic incident at Virar (east), BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde was allegedly discovered with cash at a hotel on Wednesday morning, more than 17 hours after the Maharashtra Assembly election campaigning concluded. Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) party supporters stormed the hotel and flung cash at Tawde's face. Police arrived at the scene and escorted Tawde away.


The Nalasopara constituency, currently represented by BVA MLA Kshitij Thakur, sees a contest between BJP's Rajan Naik and Congress's Sandeep Pandey. Despite BVA's previous support to Mahayuti with its three MLAs in 2019, BVA President Hitendra Thakur questioned the presence of an 'outsider' politician in Virar after campaign closure.

Also read | Cash-for-votes row: Vinod Tawde denies money distribution allegations
According to BVA members, they received information about Tawde conducting a meeting at Vivant Hotel in Manvelpada, where Naik and local BJP leaders were present.

The workers alleged they witnessed Tawde distributing money to attendees. Thakur claimed Tawde possessed Rs 5 crore and two diaries containing names. The BVA alleged that the main gate of the hotel was closed while Tawde was having his meeting inside.

BVA has raised concerns regarding webcasting at all 507 polling booths in the Nalasopara constituency. The area includes one of two critical polling booths in Palghar district. In the Vasai constituency, Thakur faces BJP candidate Sneha Dube. In Vasai, 93% of the booths have been webcasted.

BVA claimed Rs 9 lakh was found in a room. They have requested an inspection of all rooms, which consists of approximately 30 rooms.

Thakur claimed that Tawde telephoned to apologise for his presence in Virar. He urged police and election officials to address the alleged violation of the election code.

Vinod Tawde reacts

In his first reaction after the cash controversy ahead of assembly polls in Maharashtra, the BJP General Secretary said, "There are CCTV cameras in the hotel room. I simply came to meet party workers. "

"The Election Commission officials videographed the room. For 40 years, I was in politics and never distributed money," he added.

Opposition demands action

Congress nominees Sandeep Pandey and Vijay Patil, representing Nalasopara and Vasai constituencies respectively, have called for police action.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut wrote on X, "The BJP's scheme has come to an end. Thakur has done what the Election Commission should have done. EC officials search our bags and scrutinise us, yet these individuals from the BJP face no such checks."

Case registered

Tuling police in Nalasopara East registered an FIR against BJP leader Vinod Tawde in the cash-for-vote drama under sections of the Representation of People’s Act.

Poll staff said around 9 lakh cash and documents were seized from the hotel.



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