As Maharashtra gears up for its 288-member Assembly elections on November 20, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde has found himself at the center of controversy. Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) workers accused Tawde of distributing ₹5 crore in cash to sway voters. The alleged incident occurred at Vivanta Hotel in Palghar, where Tawde was meeting BJP candidate Rajan Naik. A video captured by BVA workers shows cash bundles being removed from a bag while Tawde sits nearby. The clip, which also features two police officials, has gone viral, intensifying the debate over electoral ethics.
BVA chief Hitendra Thakur, speaking to reporters, claimed that BJP leaders had tipped him off about Tawde’s visit to distribute cash. Thakur expressed disappointment that a senior leader would resort to such tactics, calling on the Election Commission to investigate. He also alleged that the hotel had disabled its CCTV systems until BVA workers demanded they be switched back on. “This is a blatant attempt to manipulate voters,” Thakur said, adding that BVA workers refused to back down, keeping Tawde confined to the hotel for over three hours.
The BJP has refuted the allegations, dismissing them as a publicity stunt by BVA. BJP leader Pravin Darekar stated that the accusations were a sign of desperation from opponents who fear losing the election. “The MVA alliance has already lost ground in Maharashtra, and such baseless claims won’t change the outcome,” he said. Tawde also denied any involvement, asserting that the allegations were fabricated to tarnish his image.
[news_related_post]The incident has drawn sharp reactions from other political parties. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi mocked the BJP, questioning whether the episode was “Vote Jihad or Dharma Yudh.” Congress leaders accused BJP of trying to buy the election, urging the Election Commission to take immediate action. Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut criticized election authorities for failing to hold the BJP accountable. With these allegations dominating headlines, the controversy has added a new layer of tension to the already heated Maharashtra polls.
