Pankaja Munde, Vinoj Tawde and Eknath Khadse
BJP is distributing money all over Maharashtra, but why did they only nab Vinod Tawde? That is also an OBC leader… This was Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut’s first reaction on the Nalasopara cash scandal. It is also discussed in the political circles of Maharashtra that after 2014, all the strong contenders for the CM post in the BJP have definitely been involved in some serious scam or allegation.
Because of these accusations, the CM’s position has moved away from the leaders. The list includes names ranging from Eknath Khadse and Pankaja Munde to Vinod Tawde.
Tawde left in limbo for the second time
Vinod Tawde, who began his political career in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, was a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post in 2014. At that time, Tawde’s poster featured only Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo, but the victory was for Devendra Fadnavis.
Tawde was made a minister in Fadnavis’ cabinet. He also achieved great ministries, but within a year he was accused of having a false degree. Tawde could not remain politically vocal after this.
Tawde’s ticket was canceled in the 2019 assembly elections. After this, Tawde was isolated from Maharashtra politics. In 2021, the BJP brought him back to mainstream politics by appointing him as National General Secretary.
Tawde was also a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post in this election, but now with the way the cash scandal has come to light, his claim has become weak. However, Tawde continually distances himself from this matter and demands an investigation.
Khadse had to leave the BJP
After Gopinath Munde entered central politics, Eknath Khadse was a very vocal OBC leader within the BJP. Khadse was considered a candidate for Chief Minister but only got a place in the cabinet. Khadse was quite ahead of the curve when he was a cabinet minister.
Meanwhile, his name cropped up in a land scam in Pune. The investigation into this scam was initiated first by the state agency and then by the Emergency Department. After this, Khadse was left on the defensive politically. He had to leave the BJP. Khadse’s politics could not reach the top again.
Eknath Khadse’s daughter is currently in Sharad Pawar’s party and Khadse himself has announced his retirement from politics. Sharad Pawar’s NCP has fielded Khadse’s daughter from Muktinagar assembly.
Pankaja Munde also faces serious accusations
After the BJP’s victory in 2014, Gopinath Munde’s political heir Pankaja Munde claimed the post of Chief Minister. While talking to reporters, Pankaja Munde said that public sentiment regarding the CM’s post is in his favour.
However, he did not get the post of Chief Minister. Pankaja was made a minister in Fadnavis’ cabinet. During this time he was accused of chikki scam.
The allegation said that when she was a minister, Pankaja ignored contract rules worth about Rs 206 million for the purchase of chikki, rugs, utensils, books, notebooks, water filters and other items for the tribal nursery school.
Although Pankaja later obtained a good mark for this position, he took a political gamble. Pankaja also lost the Parli assembly elections in 2019. In 2024, he came from Beed Lok Sabha. Here too Pankaja could not win.
Pankaja is currently a member of the Legislative Council and is involved in organizational politics.
Is this just a coincidence or a political experiment?
The main reason why this issue is being raised in the political circles of Maharashtra is the statement by MP Hitendra Thakur, who accused Vinod Tawde of distributing money. While talking to reporters, Thakur said that some of my BJP friends had given me information about this.
According to Thakur, when our followers went to the hotel, they found money and a newspaper in the hotel. The police should investigate this matter impartially. One would also have to ask Tawde what he was doing here during the silent period.
