BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde is at the center of a political storm brewing in Maharashtra’s Palghar district after allegations of distributing cash for votes surfaced there on Tuesday. These accusations come just a day before crucial assembly polls in the state, thereby ratcheting up the tension factor.
The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, or BVA-a regional party-accused Tawde of doling out cash to buy votes. Videos doing the rounds on social media showed BVA activists protesting in Virar, gheraoing Tawde and raising slogans. Situation worsened and police resorted to massive deployment to regain control over the crowd.
Adding fuel to the controversy, a video circulated by the Congress party appeared to feature BVA workers waving currency notes in front of Tawde. In a tweet, the Congress alleged: “Vinod Tawde caught distributing money in a hotel in Maharashtra. He carried cash in a bag and distributed it to people.” They appealed to the Election Commission to probe the matter thoroughly.
Did Vinod Tawde of BJP distribute cash for votes? The party comments
The BJP deemed the allegations as baseless. Party spokesman Pradip Bhandari says, “These claims are baseless. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is spreading lies to hamper Vinod Tawde’s image. Maharashtra’s people will reject these conspiracies.”
Tawde also denied the allegations, claiming he was holding a meeting regarding electoral proceedings, including dealing with objections and sealing the voting machines. He said, “Some BVA workers misinterpreted the situation, assuming money was being distributed.”
Amid all this commotion, police sealed the hotel and were trying to take him out under protection. BVA workers, however, demanded his immediate arrest and intensified the protests.
The controversy arises exactly on the eve of elections for the Maharashtra 288-member legislative assembly, which are scheduled to be held on November 20. The results are scheduled to be announced on November 23. The political parties have become geared to a high-stakes battle, and the allegations added a new drama to a much-heated contest.
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