Mumbai: There had been a raging controversy in the course of the Maharashtra assembly elections as in Virar, cash amounting to ₹9.93 lakh was discovered at a hotel by metropolitan police and election officials, setting the stage for vote-buying allegations against the ruling party, namely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The cash was recovered a day prior to polling in the Nalasopara assembly constituency, further exacerbating the quarrelling between the ruling BJP and opposition alliances.
BVA also alleged that BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde had been spearheading cash distributions in a bid to induce voters.
BVA leader Hitendra Thakur claimed to have received intelligence information from his party workers pertaining to a meeting wherein cash was being handed out to voters.
Videos of BVA supporters confronting Tawde in the hotel room-much believed to be replete with bundles of cash-went viral on social media.
Thakur also alleged that BJP leaders were working hard towards influencing voters in Nallasopara, where his son Kshitij Thakur is contesting against BJP candidate Rajan Naik.
The incident has been termed by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)-comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP-as “clear misuse of power and resources” for manipulating the electoral process.
Two FIRs were lodged regarding the case under police investigation. According to the District Collector and Election Officer Govind Bodke, the cash was seized during an inspection conducted by the election officials and police.
Documents believed to be linked to the distribution of money were retrieved. The BJP denied any wrongdoing, with Tawde claiming he was present only to provide guidance to party workers.
Strict Action Demanded by Opposition
The opposition leaders demanded strict action from the Election Commission of India. Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), accused the BJP of engaging in “note jihad” to win elections and reiterated how this incident brought out in the open the dirty tactics the party played.
Citing the same attitude, Congress leader Nana Patole accused the BJP of misusing government machinery and degrading democratic value.
The BJP contradicted the allegations, termed baseless, as the opposition was resorting to propaganda, fearing electoral loss. State BJP leaders demanded a neutral probe into the matter.
Consequences Before Elections
The incident has further aggravated tensions before assembly elections in Maharashtra, the first to be held on November 20.
The controversy and allegations of electoral misconduct provide a stark reminder of the urgency for transparency and accountability in the system.
The Election Commission’s conduct in ensuring a fair election will come under intense scrutiny as the electorate prepares to cast their votes.
