Cash-for-votes row: Vinod Tawde sends Rs 100 crore defamation notices to Rahul, Kharge

BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, who is embroiled in a cash-for-votes controversy in Maharashtra, has sent defamation notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate for making "false and baseless" allegations against him.

Tawde had been accused by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur of distributing money to voters in Palghar on the eve of the assembly elections. Tawde and the BJP had dismissed the charges as baseless and termed it as a desperate attempt by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi ahead of the polling.

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In his notice, Tawde said the Congress leaders  did not bother to check the fact or despite knowing the entire fact they made the false and baseless allegations.

"You all have deliberately, mischievously with the sole intention of damaging the reputation of our client intentionally fabricated the story distribution of money. You all have published false, baseless allegations against our client on various media for tarnishing his image in the eyes of right thinking people in the society," the notice read.

It said Tawde is in no way involved in any such illegal activity and as a responsible office bearer of the national political party he is aware of his duties.

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The notice demanded an "unconditional apology" from the Congress leaders within 24 hours.

Tawde has further threatened to initiate criminal proceedings under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and also civil proceedings for the damages of Rs 100 crore against the three Congress leaders if they fail to apologise.

Speaking to ANI, Tawde alleged that the Congress leaders wanted to defame him and his party. 

I'm not stupid to distribute money in opponent's hotel: BJP leader Tawde

“Kharge, Gandhi and Shrinate said Vinod Tawde was caught red-handed with Rs 5 crores which he was distributing to voters. They just wanted to defame me and my party. I am seriously hurt. I come from a regular middle-class family. I have never done anything like that in the last 40 years, I have been in politics,” he said.