In a significant development linked to the Maharashtra elections, the Palghar Police have registered three cases in connection with a brawl that erupted at a local hotel. More than Rs. 9 lakh in cash was discovered during the investigation, sparking further allegations and controversy.
The incident occurred when BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde was holding a meeting at the hotel, which was surrounded by workers from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) alliance. These activists accused Tawde of distributing money to voters in exchange for support, creating a tense atmosphere at the hotel. The situation quickly escalated, and the police were called to intervene.
Vinod Tawde, however, vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that he was simply conducting a meeting with party activists to discuss electoral procedures, including the sealing of EVMs and raising objections if necessary. Tawde also claimed that opposition parties were making false accusations and demanded a full investigation by the Election Commission (EC) and the police. Additionally, Tawde asked for the release of CCTV footage from the hotel to clarify the situation.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, however, questioned why Tawde was not arrested despite being allegedly caught in the act of distributing money. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticized the BJP for allegedly attempting to manipulate the election through cash distribution and demanded strict action from the Election Commission.
The Palghar Police have registered three separate cases related to the brawl. One of these cases involves the discovery of the substantial sum of Rs. 9 lakh in cash at the hotel. Additionally, police have filed a case against Tawde for holding the meeting without the required permissions, further adding to the legal challenges he faces.
Vinod Tawde, who was first elected as an MLA in 2014 from the BJP, has had a varied political career. Tawde previously held significant portfolios in the Maharashtra government, including the Education, Transport, Minority Affairs, Border Security, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. However, during the 2019 assembly elections, Tawde faced political setbacks as BJP did not offer him the same level of recognition, and he was one of the first senior ministers to have his election ticket cut. Since then, Tawde has been largely isolated in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Despite his controversial past and the recent allegations, Tawde continues to maintain his innocence, demanding that the Election Commission and authorities conduct a fair investigation into the events at the Palghar hotel. As the case unfolds, political tensions in Maharashtra are expected to intensify.
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