Vinod Tawde
BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, accused of distributing cash in exchange for votes just before voting in Maharashtra, is making headlines across the country. Tawde is on the opposition’s radar after the Election Commission took FIR action. On the one hand, from Rahul Gandhi to the big leaders of the Congress and the opposition, they are targeting the BJP through Tawde.
On the other hand, the BJP is strongly committed to defending Tawde. The party says a conspiracy is being hatched against Tawde. However, this is not the first case of Tawde making headlines due to some controversy. Tawde, who started his political career in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, has already been in the political fray five times.
1. He became an MLA for the first time and got a place in the cabinet.
Vinod Tawde was first elected MLA in 2014. The BJP had named him as its candidate from Mumbai’s Borivali seat. Borevali seat is considered a BJP stronghold. After being elected MLA, Vinod Tawde was inducted into the Maharashtra government.
Tawde was given the responsibility of the largest education department at that time. Apart from this, Tawde was given responsibility for important departments like Transport, Minorities, Border Security and Parliamentary Affairs.
Considering Tawde’s stature in the political circles of the time, he was also projected as a candidate for the CM post.
2. It has entered into controversy regarding the degree
In 2015, a report claimed that Vinod Tawde’s engineering degree is fake. There was a lot of uproar in Maharashtra politics regarding this issue. At that time the opposition created an uproar from the House to the streets for several days.
According to the prosecution, Vinod Tawde obtained BE (Electronics) degree from Dnyaneshwar Vidyapeeth, Pune. This title was not recognized by the government. At that point, Devendra Fadnavis had to enter the field to defend Tawde.
Tawde also held a press conference and explained in detail about his title. However, he also said that the information I have given is correct.
3. Dispute with Fadnavis and ticket cancelled.
In 2018, the political distance between Devendra Fadnavis and Vinod Tawde began to increase. On many occasions their voices were opposed to each other. It is said that at that time Tawde used to put only Narendra Modi’s photo on his posters, indicating that he was still in the CM race.
However, Tawde ran into trouble in the 2019 assembly elections. The BJP did not even give him a symbol. Tawde was the first senior government minister whose list was removed.
After being denied the ticket, Tawde was sidelined from politics. He remained isolated in Maharashtra politics for two years.
4. If you get a promotion, approach high command
Vinod Tawde got a promotion after Bhupendra Yadav became minister in 2021. He was given the post of National General Secretary in JP Nadda’s team. Tawde was appointed in charge of Bihar. After this, Tawde approached the BJP high command.
Vinod Tawde played an important role in bringing Nitish Kumar back to the NDA before 2024. The BJP failed to get an absolute majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Nitish is currently playing the role of kingmaker in the government.
5. Trapped in cash for votes, keep giving clarifications
BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde is considered the leader of the organisation. Tawde plays an important role in closing the gaps in the organization. Even in the Maharashtra elections, he was given the responsibility of solving the problems, but just 24 hours before the voting, a video increased his tension.
Tawde is accused of distributing Rs 5 million in collaboration with the BJP candidate in the Nalasopara Assembly. Tawde is providing clarification on this matter. Tawde says the Commission can take strict action by conducting an investigation into the matter.
