ec-files-fir-against-bjp-general-secretary-vinod-tawde

The Election Commission has lodged an FIR against Maharashtra BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde over allegations of distributing cash to secure votes in the Palghar district. This development comes just a day before the crucial Assembly elections in the state, intensifying the political drama.

 

The accusations were made by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), a regional party led by Vasai MLA Hitendra Thakur. The BVA, which wields significant influence in Palghar, has fielded candidates independently for the upcoming elections. Hitendra Thakur is contesting from Vasai, his son Kshitij is running from Nalasopara, and Rajesh Patil, a sitting MLA, is in the fray from Boisar.

 

The controversy erupted when BVA workers stormed into the Vivanta Hotel in Nalasopara, where Tawde was reportedly holding a meeting with Rajan Naik, the BJP’s candidate from Nalasopara.

 

A viral video shows the workers uncovering bundles of cash from a bag during the incident. Tawde, visible in the footage, was seated at some distance as the workers captured images and videos of the scene.

 

The BVA claimed that the bag contained ₹5 crore, allegedly intended to influence voters. Hitendra Thakur and his party have demanded strict action, framing the incident as a blatant attempt to manipulate the democratic process.

 

Vinod Tawde has firmly denied the allegations. He clarified that the meeting at the hotel was focused on training BJP workers about the election process, including the sealing of voting machines and filing objections. Tawde expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and urged authorities to review CCTV footage to verify the events.

 

The accusations have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. The Congress labeled the alleged cash-for-votes episode as evidence of BJP’s attempts to undermine the elections. They have called on the Election Commission to take swift and decisive action.

 

The incident has also sparked commentary from AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who mocked the BJP’s actions, questioning whether this was a case of "vote jihad" or a “dharma yudh.”