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.
Other Linked Events
- Anil Deshmukh Attack
- Former Home Minister Deshmukh injured in stone-pelting while campaigning.
- NCP accused BJP of conspiracy behind the attack.
- Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana
- Government scheme providing ₹1,500 monthly allowance for women.
- Likely to impact voter sentiments positively for ruling alliance.
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.