Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024: A day before the crucial assembly elections in Maharashtra, the troubles of state BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde seem to be increasing. The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) accused him of distributing cash in exchange for votes in Palghar district. The Election Commission has registered an FIR against him in this case. This incident of alleged distribution of money came to light when Tawde and local leader Rajan Naik reached the hotel.

Earlier, workers of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi surrounded him. There was a lot of ruckus between the workers of both the parties. Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) led by Vasai MLA Hitendra Thakur has a strong presence in the district. It has three MLAs from Vasai, Nallasopara, and Boisar seats. While Hitendra Thakur is contesting from Vasai, his son Kshitij is contesting from Nallasopara, and sitting MLA Rajesh Patil is contesting from Boisar.

Accused of carrying Rs 5 crore

Tawde has denied the allegations even though a video of BVA workers barging into the Vivanta Hotel in Nallasopara during a meeting between the BJP leader and BJP candidate from the assembly seat Rajan Naik went viral. The party has accused the BJP leader of carrying a bag containing Rs 5 crore. In the video, the workers are seen taking out bundles of cash from a bag while Tawde sits at a distance. They also start taking pictures and videos of him on their phones, while he is seen indicating that the bag is not his.

Hitendra Thakur has also alleged that two diaries were recovered from Tawde apart from cash. However, there was no detail of the contents of the diaries. The BVA leader told a local Marathi channel that Tawde apologized and requested him for help to get out of the hotel. At present, Hitendra and Kshitij Thakur are still inside the hotel premises, along with Tawde on the fourth floor. Amid protests by BVA workers demanding the immediate arrest of Tawde, the police have sealed the hotel and are trying to get the BJP leader out.