BJP leader Vinod Tawde on Wednesday dismissed the allegations of distributing money at a hotel in Vasai Virar to influence voters. He said he was well aware of the rules and not foolish to indulge in such an activity.
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Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur on Tuesday accused Tawde of distributing Rs 5 crore at the hotel, following which high drama unfolded just ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra. An election official on Tuesday said Rs 9.93 lakh cash was recovered from the hotel rooms. Tawde denied the allegation, saying he was only providing guidance to party workers on poll procedures.
"The Vivanta Hotel (at Virar in Palghar) is owned by the Thakurs. I am not stupid to go to their hotel and distribute money there," Tawde told reporters. He further said he was in politics for 40 years and was aware of the rules and regulations, particularly the 'silence period' before elections. "I was having a casual chat with party workers. I was not campaigning," Tawde said.
Leaders of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have sought a comprehensive investigation by the Election Commission.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of using every trick to win Maharashtra by giving provocative slogans like 'Batenge toh kathenge' to divert people's attention. "Notes are being distributed to make Maharashtra an Adani nation. That's why you need to be careful. They are trying to buy you," Singh said.
He added, "This is the same Tawde who had used the trick of buying and selling during the mayoral elections in Chandigarh to make BJP win by illegal means which was rejected by the Supreme Court. Yesterday again he was seen distributing notes in a hotel. The public will answer such people who kill democracy and destroy the constitution."
