Vinod Tawde Distributed Cash to Voters in Palghar on Eve of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, Claims BVA Leader Hitendra Thakur; BJP Denies (Watch Videos)
Mumbai, November 19: Bahujan Vikas Aghadi leader Hitendra Thakur on Tuesday, the eve of the Maharashtra assembly elections, alleged that senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde distributed money to voters in a constituency in Palghar district.
The BJP has, however, rubbished the allegations, saying Thakur’s claim was nothing more than a publicity stunt and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was making these allegations as it is headed for defeat. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Know Polling Date, Voting Time and When Results Will Be Declared.
Vinod Tawde Distributed Cash to Voters in Palghar, Claims BVA
BVA MLA Kshitij Thakur snatched Rs 5 cr cash bag & diary from BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawade at Virar. In diary, Tawade mentioned the names whom the money is given by him. Big ruckus in hotel. Tawade pleads to Mr Thakur to let him go, but trapped inside hotel room. pic.twitter.com/fptpLgHwNy
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) November 19, 2024
BJP Leader Vinod Tawde Allegedly Caught Red-Handed In Virar Hotel
Senior #Maharashtra BJP leader Vinod Tawde allegedly caught red-handed in a Virar hotel with ₹5 crore in cash, reportedly meant for vote-buying on the eve of the polls
Members of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) stormed the premises flinging cash in Tawde’s face and… pic.twitter.com/okp9UyDGNI
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) November 19, 2024
BJP Leader Vinod Tawde Speaks on Incident
#WATCH | BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde says, “…a meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. The Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made…I went there to tell them about it.… https://t.co/kOupjvw0wE pic.twitter.com/3JFRdecQp1
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2024
A purported video of a face-off between Tawde and BVA leaders and workers has surfaced on social media. Polls for the 288-member state assembly will be held on November 20, and the votes will be counted on November 23.
Speaking to reporters, Thakur claimed, “Some BJP leaders informed me that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde is coming to Virar to disburse Rs 5 crore to influence voters. I thought a national leader like him would not stoop to such a trivial task. But I saw him here. I urge the Election Commission to take action against him and the BJP.” Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Mumbai Voter Count Crosses 1-Crore Mark, Says BMC.
The BVA legislator alleged the hotel Tawde was staying had shut CCTV recording. “The hotel administration seems to be in cahoots with Tawde and the BJP. They only activated their CCTV after we requested it. Tawde was distributing money to manipulate voters,” he said.
Tawde remained in the hotel for over three hours while BVA workers refused to back down. Taking to X, Shiv Sena Sanjay Raut said, “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.”
Refuting the allegations, BJP leader and MLC Pravin Darekar said, “The MVA has already lost the game. They are destined for defeat in this election, which is why they are making such absurd allegations against us. What Thakur is doing is nothing more than a publicity stunt.”
