Maharashtra Cash-for-Vote Scandal: In a dramatic turn in Maharashtra’s recent election scandal, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde has initiated legal action against prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and spokesperson Supriya Shrinet. Tawde accuses the Congress of spreading falsehoods and tarnishing his reputation over allegations of cash distribution just a day before the \state elections.
Accusations Against Tawde
The controversy centers on accusations that Vinod Tawde distributed Rs. 5 crore in Nalasopara, Mumbai, allegedly to sway the vote. The accusations triggered a fierce backlash from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which leveraged the alleged incident to criticize Tawde and the BJP, citing it as evidence of the party's unethical campaign practices. Congress leaders were quick to amplify the accusations, creating a significant political stir in the run-up to the election.
Tawde’s Legal Response
In response to the accusations, Tawde has taken a strong stance, sending a defamation notice to the Congress leaders, asserting that they intentionally spread false information to damage both his and the BJP's reputation. He argued that these allegations are part of a broader strategy by the Congress to mislead the public and undermine the BJP’s image.
Tawde took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his stance, saying, “Congress's only work is to spread lies! In the Nalasopara case, I have sent a defamation notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and spokesperson Supriya Shrinet. They have tried to tarnish my image and that of the BJP by spreading lies.”
Tawde added that no money had been recovered from him, as verified by both the Election Commission and the police, dismissing the incident as “proof of the low-level politics of the Congress.”
The Incident Leading to the Scandal
The accusations stem from events on November 19, a day before the voting for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Members of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), an opposition party, alleged that Tawde was distributing cash to influence voters. BVA activists claimed that Tawde had brought Rs. 5 crore to a Mumbai hotel for this purpose, and the accusation led to an immediate commotion.
BVA workers reportedly caused a scene outside the hotel, calling for action against Tawde. In response, Tawde denied the allegations, insisting that he had no involvement in any cash distribution. This controversy was further fueled when the Election Commission filed three First Information Reports (FIRs) related to cash distribution on the eve of the election, with Tawde's name listed in one of these FIRs.
Election Commission’s Investigation
In its probe into the allegations, the Election Commission registered three FIRs related to alleged money distribution, with two cases naming BJP candidates, including one with Tawde. The third FIR involves the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, another opposition party. However, no cash has reportedly been seized or verified in connection to these FIRs, leading Tawde and his supporters to argue that the allegations are politically motivated and baseless.
(Prakash Kumar Pandey)
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