BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde dismisses allegations of distributing money to influence voters

The accusations came hours before the assembly polls, when Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur claimed that Tawde had distributed Rs 5 crore

As the assembly polls in Maharashtra drew near, a war of words erupted between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) over allegations of cash distribution to influence voters. On Wednesday, hours before the polls, BVA leader Hitendra Thakur made sensational claims that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde had distributed Rs 5 crore at a hotel in Virar, located 60 km from Mumbai, to sway voters.

However, Tawde vehemently dismissed the allegations, stating that he was fully aware of the rules and regulations and would never engage in such activities, especially at the hotel of his political opponents. "The Vivanta Hotel (at Virar in Palghar) is owned by the Thakurs. I am not stupid to go to their hotel and distribute money there. I was having a casual chat with party workers. I was not campaigning," Tawde told reporters here.

The BJP leader, with 40 years of experience in politics, emphasized that he was well-versed in the rules and regulations, especially the 'silence period' that precedes elections. Tawde said he was only engaging in discussions with party workers about voting procedures.

Meanwhile, election officials on Tuesday reported the recovery of Rs 9.93 lakh from hotel rooms, even as BVA leaders continued to press their claims of Rs 5 crore cash distribution. The BJP leader has denied the allegation.

As the allegations flew thick and fast, leaders of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) called for a thorough investigation by the Election Commission into the matter. In response, Tawde expressed surprise at the involvement of national leaders, stating, "BJP people are no longer foolish enough to distribute money in a hotel owned by opposition parties. They should understand this much."