BJP Leader Vinod Tawde Caught in Cash Scandal Ahead of Maharashtra Polls

BJP Leader Accused of Cash Distribution Ahead of Maharashtra Polls

Mumbai: Just hours before the voting in Maharashtra, the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi party accused BJP leaders, including Vinod Tawde, of distributing cash to influence voters. The accusations stem from an event at a hotel in Virar, Palghar district, where BJP candidate Rajan Naik allegedly handed out cash.

Kshitij Thakur, a current MLA from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, arrived at the hotel with supporters, leading to a scene of chaos. Supporters claimed they discovered envelopes of cash and diaries at the venue. Viral videos show them waving cash in front of Tawde.

Hitendra Thakur, president of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, alleged that Rs 5 crore was distributed at the hotel, claiming Tawde had a diary with cash details.

The Congress party shared videos of the incident, accusing the BJP of using money to sway the election. They called for the Election Commission to take strict action, emphasizing that even top leaders are allegedly involved.

NCP leader Supriya Sule questioned the source of the cash, referring to the BJP’s previous demonetization policy. She expressed surprise that a senior leader like Tawde was reportedly involved.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi pointed out that while Uddhav Thackeray’s bags were rigorously checked, others allegedly carrying cash went unscathed. She expressed eagerness to see what actions would follow against the BJP and Tawde.

The BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless, labeling them a political stunt. They claimed Tawde was at the hotel for a meeting concerning election preparations. The BJP urged an investigation, advocating for a check of the CCTV footage to clarify the situation.

Maharashtra elections are set for Wednesday, promising a competitive atmosphere. In the previous Assembly election, the NDA alliance, composed of the BJP and the then undivided Shiv Sena, won 161 out of 288 seats. Tensions arose, leading to a split in alliances.

The previous government, a coalition of the Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP, fell in 2022 due to a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde. His faction joined forces with the BJP. This election sees the two factions of Shiv Sena and NCP opposing each other, heightening stakes for both sides.

In the recent Lok Sabha election, the opposition coalition of Congress, UBT, and NCP achieved significant success, winning 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. This time, the Maha Vikas Aghadi aims for a stronger performance, while the Mahayuti seeks a comeback after their prior losses.