BJP leader Vinod Tawde.Image Credit Source: PTI
The pre-poll cash scandal in Maharashtra has created political turmoil. BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde has been accused of distributing money at Hotel Vivant. This allegation comes from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi workers. He says Tawde distributed the money at Hotel Vivant in Virar East. Tawde and assembly seat candidate Rajan Naik had contributed Rs 5 crore to distribute. In this whole matter, 3 FIRs have been registered. One FIR was registered against Tawde, the second against BJP candidate Rajan Naik and others, and the third against Bahujan Vikas Aghadi workers. Vinod Tawde’s statement also came in this matter.
Tawde said there was a meeting of Nalasopara MLAs. He had come to inform them about the model code of conduct for voting day, how the voting machine would be sealed and what to do in case any objection was raised. Bahujan Vikas Aghadi workers Appa Thakur and Kshitij felt that we were distributing money. The Election Commission and the police should investigate the matter. CCTV footage should also be examined.
9 lakh 93 thousand 500 rupees were found
Before Tawde’s statement, the Election Commission team searched the hotel. During this period, Rs 9 lakh 93 thousand and Rs 500 were received. Some documents have also been found. Vinod Tawde had brought this money or it belongs to BJP… still not clear. The Election Commission and the Collector are talking about an investigation in this regard.
Also Read: Maharashtra: BJP leader Vinod Tawde accused of distributing money, no mention of cash in FIR, a case has been registered in this matter.
Palghar Collector Govind Maruti says BJP leader Vinod Tawde and his workers are distributing money; a similar complaint was lodged by workers and leaders of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi. Following this, election-related officials and the Joint PC, including both DCPs, rushed to the spot. Our surveillance team has recovered Rs 9 lakh 93 thousand 500 during the search operation at the hotel. Apart from this, some documents have been found. On this basis, FIR is being registered and investigation is underway.
From workers to great leaders involved
As for the cash scandal, Congress said, Vinod Tawde was caught while distributing money at a hotel in Maharashtra. He took the money in a bag. There they called people and handed out money. When the public heard this news, there was a great stir. There are many videos of Vinod Tawde with money coming out. Voting will be held in Maharashtra. Just before that, BJP leaders are busy influencing the elections with the help of money. This includes everyone from workers to great leaders. The Election Commission should take cognizance of this matter and take strict action.
If this kind of statement is not childish, what is it then?
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has questioned Prime Minister Modi on this issue. In a post he said: Modi ji, from whose SAFE has this 5 crores come? Who sent you to Tempo after looting public money? Tawde responded to Rahul’s post. He said: If you come to Nalasopara, look at the CCTV footage of the hotel. Watch the full proceedings of the Electoral Commission held there. Prove that this is how the money arrived. If this type of statements without any information is not childish then what is?
1.98 crore seized from Nashik hotel before voting
Ahead of voting for the Maharashtra Assembly elections on November 20, Rs 1.98 crore was seized from a hotel in Nashik. Nashik district magistrate Jalaj Sharma said that as per the information received so far, Rs 1.98 crore has been seized from there. The team is taking further action.
Also Read: Whose Rs 5 Crore Was Taken From Safe? Rahul Gandhi’s question to the prime minister after the cash scandal
During the Model Code of Conduct, those holding cash of more than Rs 50,000 must have valid documents. While for amounts lower than this no procedure is required. Officials said that earlier on November 12, Thane police had seized Rs 2.5 million from a semi-detached house in Nerul Sector 16, Navi Mumbai.
