India
Amid the Maharashtra cash-for-vote controversy, the Palghar administration announced on Tuesday that police recovered ₹9.93 lakh in cash along with some incriminating documents during a raid at a hotel in Virar.
The allegations centre around Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) candidate Kshitij Thakur and his party accusing BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde of attempting to distribute ₹5 crore to influence voters ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections.
Complaints Trigger Police Action
District collector and election officer Govind Bodke confirmed that complaints from BVA activists about BJP workers allegedly distributing cash at the hotel prompted the investigation. A team comprising the returning officer of Nallasopara, senior police officials, and election authorities conducted the search, leading to the recovery of the cash and other materials.
“Cases have been registered for possession of cash, violating the model code of conduct, and holding unauthorized press conferences,” Bodke stated.
BVA’s Accusations
BVA leader Hitendra Thakur alleged that Tawde arrived at the hotel to distribute the cash, claiming the information came from a BJP insider. Thakur stated, “I couldn’t believe such a senior national functionary would engage in this, but unfortunately, it turned out to be true.”
According to Thakur, the police also recovered a diary listing names and amounts distributed. He described the findings as evidence of an organized attempt to sway voters in the Nallasopara constituency, where his son, MLA Kshitij Thakur, is contesting against BJP’s Rajan Naik.
BJP’s Response
The BJP has categorically denied the allegations. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi dismissed them as “baseless” and accused the BVA and its allies of making a last-ditch effort to defame the party.
“Vinod Tawde was attending a meeting to instruct party workers about the polling process. ₹5 crore cannot simply be carried in a pocket or hidden. Let them produce CCTV footage if their claims are true,” Trivedi said.
Tawde also defended himself, stating, “This is nothing but a desperate attempt by the opposition to create confusion before the elections.”
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities are examining the recovered documents and cash, and further investigations are underway to determine the authenticity of the allegations. The incident has added to the already heated electoral battle in Maharashtra, with both sides trading accusations just days before voting begins.
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