Vinod Tawde Accuse of Cash-for-Votes Before Maharashtra Poll

The eve of Maharashtra’s assembly elections witnessed dramatic events, escalating political tensions across the state. BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde faced allegations of cash distribution at a Virar hotel to influence voter behavior, sparking outrage and debate.

Incident Overview

Date and Place: The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Vivanta Hotel in Virar, Palghar district.
Key Allegation: Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) members accused Tawde of bringing ₹5 crore for voter influence.
Key Figures:
- Vinod Tawde: BJP’s National General Secretary.
- Hitendra Thakur: Leader of BVA and MLA from Vasai.
- Kshitij Thakur: BVA MLA from Nalasopara, alleged diary holder.
- Rajan Naik: BJP candidate from Nalasopara constituency.

Events Unfolded

Storming the Hotel
BVA workers, led by Kshitij Thakur, entered the hotel, accusing Tawde of cash distribution.
- Workers reportedly found cash envelopes and a diary mentioning ₹15 crore distribution.
- Allegations included the hotel’s CCTV being disabled during the event.
Tawde’s Response
- Claimed presence was to discuss election procedures with Rajan Naik.
- Denied possession of cash and termed allegations baseless.
- Demanded an impartial investigation by the Election Commission (EC).
Escalation
- Police and EC officials intervened, sealing the hotel and conducting searches.
- Three FIRs were filed, including for holding a press conference during the poll silence period.

Political Reactions

Opposition Criticism
- Congress accused BJP of influencing elections with money.
- Rahul Gandhi mocked PM Modi’s “safe slogan,” linking it to ₹5 crore found.
- Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray called for the removal of the “corrupt government.”
BJP’s Defense
- Leaders termed accusations absurd and politically motivated.
- Suggested BVA created a false narrative fearing election loss.

Election Commission’s Role

FIR against Tawde for violating 48-hour pre-poll restrictions.
Seized ₹9.93 lakh from the hotel room.
Confirmed searches of Tawde’s car, hotel room, and belongings.

Highlights of Recovered Evidence

Evidence	Details
Cash	₹9.93 lakh seized in envelopes.
Diary	Alleged ₹15 crore transaction records.
CCTV Footage	Hotel CCTV reportedly non-functional.

Clashes and Allegations

Accusations Against Tawde
- BVA alleged cash distribution plan post-campaigning deadline.
- Claimed multiple apology calls from Tawde to Hitendra Thakur.
Hotel’s Role
- Accused of complicity in disabling CCTV.
- Potential action against the management under EC directives.
Protest Dynamics
- BVA workers surrounded Tawde, demanding his immediate arrest.
- Police provided escort to Tawde amid escalating protests.

Key Takeaways

The Virar hotel incident highlights concerns over political ethics during elections.
Opposition is leveraging this controversy to question BJP’s credibility.
With Maharashtra polls a day away, the unfolding drama may significantly influence voter perception.

The entire episode underscores the significance of transparency and ethical conduct in democratic elections. While investigations continue, the incident sets a controversial tone for Maharashtra’s electoral battle.