Tue Nov 19 14:22:37 UTC 2024: ## BJP Leader Accused of Vote-Buying Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections

**Mumbai, November 20** – A day before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde was accused of distributing money to influence voters. Election Commission officials seized ₹9 lakh in cash and documents from Tawde’s hotel room in Virar, a Mumbai suburb. Video footage of the raid has surfaced. While the Election Commission has confirmed a seizure, details remain scarce.

Following accusations from the opposition, the Election Commission has filed an FIR against Tawde and BJP candidate Rajan Naik from Nalasopara under the Representation of the People Act.

The incident allegedly unfolded during a meeting Tawde was holding at the hotel. Workers from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), a rival party, alleged that Tawde had arrived with ₹5 crore and was distributing it to voters. A confrontation ensued between BVA and BJP workers. Videos reportedly show BVA workers possessing cash and a diary allegedly containing financial records.

Tawde denies the allegations, stating he was conducting a worker’s meeting to discuss election code of conduct. He maintains the opposition misinterpreted his actions and has called for a fair investigation. Hitendra Thakur, leader of the BVA, countered that the hotel’s CCTV cameras were initially turned off and only activated after their intervention. He claims Tawde was present for over three hours.

Separately, ₹1.98 crore was seized from a hotel in Nashik on the same day. These seizures follow a previous ₹2.5 crore cash recovery in Nerul on November 12.

The single-phase voting for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats took place on November 20th, with results expected on November 23rd. The incident adds to the already charged atmosphere surrounding the elections. Other news includes Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stating he is not in the race for the next CM position, and a reported check of Home Minister Amit Shah’s helicopter by Election Commission officials.

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