BVA members, under the leadership of Hitendra Thakur, and Kshitij Thakur, an MLA from Nalla Sopara, claimed that Vinod Tawde of the BJP was trying to buy votes.
Mumbai: After BVA activists and Nalla Sopara MLA Kshitij Thakur claimed that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde had come with ₹5 crore to give to their candidate Rajan Naik, BVA members, led by Hitendra Thakur, clashed with BJP representatives at Virar East.
For What is the Rs. 5 Cr.?
The charges have been refuted by the BJP leader. Tawde stated, “I had stopped on my way to discuss with our candidate the polling process and code of conduct.”
“I had a quick meeting with the candidate and was about to leave when BVA workers came,” he continued. They believed that I was disbursing funds. When EC staff arrived, they inspected my car but found nothing. Allow the accusations they are making to be looked into.
Tawde had met with Rajan Naik, the BJP candidate for the Nalasopara constituency, at the Hotel Vivanta in Virar East, where the altercation had place. The discussion was interrupted by BVA employees who said funds were being disbursed. Despite a subsequent search of Tawde’s car, no evidence was discovered.
The charges were also flatly disputed by Tawde’s BJP colleagues, who implied that BVA was fabricating claims of money distribution by distorting the situation.
“The job which has to be done by Election Commission was done by Thakurs,” said Sanjay Raut, the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), in response to the scandal.
While his father, Hitendra Thakur, insists that Tawde has apologised over the phone several times, Vasai MLA Kshitij Thakur says he has found a logbook that details transactions totalling ₹15 crore.
The BVA, a local political organisation founded by the Thakurs, who currently hold three MLA seats and normally support the ruling front, is involved in the incident, which is within the jurisdiction of the Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar police.
The brother of convicted criminal Bhai Thakur, Hitendra Thakur, is running from the Nalasopara seat, and his son, Kshitij, is running for reelection from the nearby Vasai seat.
Thakur’s Stand on Vinod Tawde
“BJP workers informed me that Vinod Tawde would be arriving with ₹5 crore,” Thakur stated. I had my supporters along. We discovered an empty diary. The Election Commission and the police must take action. The hotel’s CCTV system was likewise turned off and reactivated long after I got there. I believe that the hotel management is also implicated and that something needs to be done about it.
“Hitendra Thakur and Kshitij Thakur have known me for years, and I have been in politics for the last 40 years,” Tawde retorted. It was their understanding that I was come to distribute funds. But I insist on an unbiased investigation into this.
Pravin Darekar, a BJP politician, denied the allegations, saying, “I think it’s ridiculous that Tawde is allegedly distributing money. BVA is fabricating a story since they believe they lost the polls.
The story was quickly taken over by other parties. Raut of the Sena remarked. The BJP’s top leader plotted to release the Vinod Tawde information. Tawde was monitored by the home department. Tawde belongs to Bahujan samaj and to end the future challenge from him top BJP leaders conspired against him.
“Devendra Fadnavis will have to answer why Tawde?” he continued.
Background
Tawde is being escorted by police from the hotel, where he is still encircled by demonstrators. Based on the accusations made against Tawde by BVA’s Thakur, the police are also searching every room in the hotel.
Palghar collector Govind Bodke, meantime, stated that Tawde is not a local voter. That’s why a formal complaint would be filed against him for entering Virar 48 hours prior to the polls. It was also requested that the BJP leader leave Vasai Virar. Tawde’s cars, hotel, and luggage are being searched, according to Bodke.
Kiran Kulkarni, Maharashtra’s additional chief election officer, claims that ECI regulations allow for punishment against people who try to sway votes, as the BVA has claimed. “We have been notified of an event that occurred in Vasai-Virar. He stated that the appropriate steps are being taken by Vasai Virar’s district collector and police commissioner.
Shubhangi Gupta is a distinguished content writer and the visionary founder of The Unpleasant – Acha Nahi Sabse Sacha. With a Master’s degree in Commerce from University of Lucknow, Shubhangi has seamlessly blended her academic background with her passion for reading and writing, embarking on a successful career as a content writer since 2019.
