Politics

BJP Leader Vinod Tawde Denies ₹5 Crore Vote-Buying Allegations at Virar Hotel

In Virar East, members of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), led by Hitendra Thakur, engaged in a furious altercation with BJP officials. The fight started when BVA supporters and Nalla Sopara MLA Kshitij Thakur said that BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde had brought ₹5 crore to the Hotel Vivanta to give to their candidate, Rajan Naik.

BJP Denies Allegations

The charges were strongly refuted by Vinod Tawde, who claimed to have visited the hotel for a quick meeting with Rajan Naik to go over the code of conduct and voting processes. “I was ready to depart after a quick chat with the applicant when BVA employees showed up and mistook me for a money distributor. When the Election Commission staff inspected my car, they discovered nothing,” Tawde clarified. He demanded that the allegations presented by BVA be the subject of an objective examination.

The dispute intensified when BVA employees disrupted Tawde’s meeting, claiming that funds were being distributed. After Tawde’s car was searched, no proof of misconduct was found. Tawde was quickly supported by BJP colleagues who characterized the charges as unfounded and an effort by BVA to fabricate a story.

Sanjay Raut Weighs In

According to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, the Thakurs took matters into their own hands and criticized the Election Commission for not acting quickly enough. “The job which has to be done by the Election Commission was done by the Thakurs,” Raut claimed.

Financial Allegations and Hotel Involvement

The scandal was further stoked by Kshitij Thakur, who claimed to have found a diary with transactions purportedly connected to Tawde that totaled ₹15 crore. Tawde allegedly apologized to his father, Hitendra Thakur, several times for the event. According to Hitendra, the hotel’s CCTV cameras were switched off before his arrival and turned back on once he arrived at the location. “The hotel management is likely involved, and they should be held accountable,” he added.

Tawde and BJP’s Response

However, Tawde denied the accusations, highlighting his 40 years of political experience and his close ties to the Thakur family. “They misinterpreted the circumstances. “I demand a comprehensive and unbiased investigation into this matter,” Tawde declared.

Additionally, BJP leader Pravin Darekar called the money distribution claim “laughable,” implying that BVA is merely attempting to fabricate a story to justify their alleged electoral defeat.

Political Implications and Police Action

Police were called to take Tawde from the hotel, which was encircled by BVA demonstrators, and the altercation took place within the jurisdiction of the Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar police. Based on the claims made by the Thakur family, authorities also searched the hotel rooms.

Kshitij Thakur, an MLA from Vasai, has called for additional research, pointing to potential electoral rigging. Palghar collector Govind Bodke, meanwhile, stated that since Tawde is not a local voter, a formal complaint would be filed against him for entering Virar 48 hours before the polls. It was also requested that Tawde vacate the Vasai-Virar area.

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The claims have been acknowledged by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which has promised to take the appropriate measures if any attempt to influence voters is shown to have occurred. “We are looking into the Vasai-Virar issue. The necessary steps are being taken by the district collector and police commissioner,” stated Kiran Kulkarni, Maharashtra’s additional chief election officer.

As election day draws near, this developing dispute serves as a reminder of the region’s elevated political tensions.