Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Vinod Tawde on Tuesday dismissed accusations from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) that the BJP was “distributing money” ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
Tawde explained that he had gone to attend a meeting with MLAs from Nalasopara to explain to them the Model Code of Conduct. Covering voting machines, and the processes for objection raising. The BVA workers, including Appa Thakur and Kshitij, misconstrued the gathering and mistakenly thought the BJP distributed money.
He asserted that the Election Commission and police should probe the claim. And scan the CCTV footage of the said event. Tawde, a 40-year BJP member, said that Appa Thakur and Kshitij knew him well, besides the entire party. “I want an impartial investigation by the Election Commission to clear any doubts,” said Tawde.
This follows after a scenario where BVA workers created a ruckus outside Vivanta Hotel in Virar, where Tawde was meeting BJP party workers. The workers, led by Thakur, accused the BJP of distributing money, which saw tension at the hotel rise.
Meanwhile, the BJP leader Chitra Wagh highlighted an attack on Archana Rothe, sister of BJP MLA Pratap Adsad. Wagh accused Congress candidate Virendra Jagtap of being complicit in the attack. Wagh accused that it was politically motivated, while condemning the attack and termed it as an attempt to kill Rothe. And vowed that the BJP would respond strongly to such incidents.
It was characteristically termed ‘a cowardly act’ by Mr. Wagh, who further stated, “We will never tolerate such incidents and give a befitting reply to those responsible.”
Meanwhile, campaigning has ended for by-elections in 15 assembly constituencies across four states, including the Nanded Parliamentary Constituency of Maharashtra. The bypolls will take place on November 20. And the counting of votes will be held on November 23.
The political environment in Maharashtra remains tense as these allegations and incidents unfold ahead of the upcoming elections.
ANI
