A day before Maharashtra goes to assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has found itself in a spot after an FIR was filed against its general secretary Vinod Tawde for allegedly distributing money to voters in Palghar.
The Tuling police in Nalasopara East registered the FIR after the Election Commission took note of a complaint filed by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur.
Tawde and the BJP dismissed the charges as baseless and termed it as a desperate attempt by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi ahead of the polling.
Also read
- Former Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh seriously injured after stones hurled at his car
- 'Congress leaders dislike Jai Shri Ram chant, did not visit Ayodhya', says MP CM Mohan Yadav campaigning for Maharashtra Assembly polls
- Congress trying to divide SC, ST, and OBC communities for electoral gains: Modi tells BJP workers ahead of Maharashtra Assembly polls
- Maharashtra Assembly polls: Police constable faces trouble after posting photo of postal ballot on social media
The FIR was filed against Tawde under sections of the Representation of People’s Act. The BJP, however, claimed that the FIR was not related to cash-for-vote charge but was registered for MCC violations.
Police, meanwhile, raided a hotel in Nalasopara and seized cash and certain documents following complaints that BJP leaders were distributing money to influence voters.
"On the upper floors, BJP members were present, while BVA workers were present on lower floors. Some amount of money and a few diaries have been recovered," said Vasai Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Pournima Chougule.
Thakur said some BJP leaders informed him that Tawde had come to the hotel 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,” he said.
The BVA leader also alleged that the hotel where Tawde was staying in had turned off the CCTV recording.
"The hotel administration seems to be in cahoots with Tawde and the BJP. They only activated their CCTV after we requested it. He was distributing money to manipulate voters," he said.
Earlier in the day, high drama unfolded in front of the hotel with the BVA workers led by Thakur staging a demonstration.
The incident has sparked off a political storm with the opposition demanding a comprehensive investigation by the Election Commission.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut suggested a conspiracy against Tawde by some BJP leaders. "No matter how much the BJP tries to hide, whatever happened in Nallasopara-Virar, it happened before the camera,” he said.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole accused the BJP of using money power to manipulate the electoral process. He said the BJP was misusing government machinery and indulging in corrupt practices to buy votes, fearing a defeat in the assembly elections.
"The Election Commission must ensure a fair and transparent election process. However, the series of events over the past month, including biased actions against opposition leaders, have raised concerns. Bags of opposition leaders have been checked under suspicious circumstances, and they've been prevented from flying in helicopters or airplanes, but no such scrutiny has been applied to the ruling party,” Patole said.
