Vinod Tawde
– Photo: ANI (File)
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Hitendra Thakur made serious allegations
Accusing BJP of distributing money before tomorrow’s assembly elections, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi leader Hitendra Thakur said that the Election Commissioner here has recovered a bag full of money and diaries. It contains a list of names, in which it is told how much money has been given to whom. A BJP leader told me that Rs 5 crore has been brought. The Collector has told me that I am not even allowed to hold a press conference. There is a lot of pressure on me.
FIR will be filed against anyone who violates the code of conduct
Maharashtra’s Additional Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Kulkarni said, after receiving information in Nalasopara, police had reached the spot. The flying squad of the election machinery formed to comply with the code of conduct also reached the spot. The flying squad took stock of the premises and also made some seizures. The process of registering FIR under the relevant acts is going on. Everything is under control. Whoever violates the model code of conduct, action will be taken against him as per law and rules.
What is the matter?
Bahujan Vikas Aghadi workers created a ruckus outside a hotel in Nalasopara assembly constituency of Palghar on Monday. A meeting of BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde was going on inside the hotel. Bahujan Vikas Aghadi MLA Kshitij Hitendra Thakur and his workers accused BJP of distributing the money.
BVA leader Hitendra Thakur alleged that senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde distributed money to voters in a constituency in Palghar district. A purported video of the confrontation between Tawde and BVA leaders and workers has surfaced on social media. Voting for the 288-member state assembly will be held on November 20 and counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Speaking to reporters, Thakur claimed that some BJP leaders told that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde is coming to Virar to distribute Rs 5 crore to influence the voters. I felt that a national leader like him would not do such a small task. Then I saw them here. I demand the Election Commission to take action against him and BJP.
The BVA MLA alleged that the CCTV recording of the hotel where Tawde was staying had been stopped. The hotel administration seems to be in collusion with Tawde and the BJP. They switched on the CCTV only after we asked. Tawde was distributing money to influence voters.
Meanwhile, news came that Tawde and Thakur were going to sit together and hold a press conference. However, it was stopped by the Election Commission. When Tawde was asked about this, he said that we do not know anything about this matter. Shortly after this, both of them left the hotel in the same car.
What did Vinod Tawde say?
Responding to the matter, Vinod Tawde said that a meeting of the MLAs of Nalasopara was going on. Model code of conduct for polling day, how will the voting machine be sealed and what to do if any objection is to be lodged? I went to tell them about it. Bahujan Vikas Aghadi workers Appa Thakur and Kshitij thought that we were distributing money. Election Commission and police should investigate, CCTV footage should be extracted. I have been in the party for 40 years. Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, the entire party knows me. Still, I believe that the Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation.
The opposition attacked fiercely
BJP denied the allegations
Refuting the allegations, BJP leader and MLC Praveen Darekkar said that the MVA has already accepted defeat. They are bound to face defeat in this election, which is why they are making such absurd allegations against us. What Thakur is doing is nothing more than a publicity stunt.