Maharashtra Elections 2024 updates: Why no arrest yet, Cong's KC Venugopal asks after BJP leader caught red-handed distributing cash

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi says, "An accused dealer contacts a former police officer who has been jailed earlier due to some allegations and tells him that he (the alleged dealer) wants to do some transactions of bitcoin in cash. The police officer declines his request. But the dealer tries to convince him as few 'big people' are involved in this matter and he allegedly takes the names of Nana Patole and Supriya Sule. When the police officer doesn't show any trust in this, the dealer sends him the audio clips. As per the claims of the dealer, there is mention of the need for money for the elections in those audio clips...Now, we want to ask 5 questions to the Congress Party, one, are you involved in the bitcoin transaction? Second, are you in contact with this person named Gaurav Gupta or Mehta? Third, the chats are yours (of your leaders) or not? Fourth, the audio in the audio clips is yours or not? Fifth, who are the 'big people'?"

Maharashtra Elections 2024 Live: Supriya Sule files cyber complaint

Vasai-Virar, Maharashtra | On BJP leader Vinod Tawde, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi candidate from Nalasopara, Kshitij Thakur says, "At 9,30am today, I received a call from an old RSS member that (BJP leader Vinod Tawde) Tawde is taking a meeting through Zoom in Vasai. Later again, I got a call about a BJP meeting at a hotel here. When he reached the hotel a huge meeting was underway to decide how money would be distributed. We informed the Police and the Election Commission....Why was Tawde ji in Virar 48 hours before the polling? Police didn't know he was coming here. What was the need for Tawde sahib to come here? We recovered 10-12 diaries. The Police let go several people who were present there without checking. The diaries recovered mentioned names of leaders and amounts of money mentioned against their names..."

Over attack on Anil Deshmukh, Maharashtra Deputy CM & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis says," It is like a Salim-Javed story...The 8-10kg stone didn't damage either the windscreen or the car bonnet. The stone which was thrown from behind should have hurt him on the rear side of the head. It happens only in Rajnikant movies that the stone thrown from behind can hit a person on the front side...This attack looks like a story to gain sympathy as they see their defeat before them."

In a setback to the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), its Dahanu candidate Suresh Padvi joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and declared his support to the latter's nominee Vinod Medha, on the eve of the Maharashtra assembly elections.

The Dahanu assembly constituency is located in the coastal Palghar district.

Police in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district have registered cases against BJP candidate and state Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and Congress's Santosh Singh Rawat after they had a verbal altercation at a village ahead of the assembly elections, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at Kosambi village in the Ballarpur assembly constituency in Mul tehsil on Monday, the last day of campaigning for the November 20 assembly elections, the district information office stated in a release.

The seizures of cash, alcohol, and other items amid the poll code conduct for the Maharashtra assembly elections amounted to Rs 660.16 crore, while 8,668 of 8,678 complaints lodged through the C-Vigil app were resolved.

As per the information shared by the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer, 8,678 complaints were lodged across Maharashtra via the Election Commission's C-Vigil app from October 15, when the model code of conduct kicked in, to November 18. Of these, 8,668 complaints were resolved.

BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, who has been accused of distributing cash on the eve of Maharashtra elections, denied all allegations against him. "Today, as I was passing by that area (Vasai-Virar), our candidate Rajan Naik asked me to join them to have tea. At least 200 booth incharges were present there. Later, Hitendra Thakur and his son came there and said that money was being distributed. Their party workers also came and created ruckus. It is not wrong to go and meet party workers who work day and night for the party. I have been in politics for the last 40 years and I have never been involved in a case relating to money. Why are Supriya Sule and Rahul Gandhi saying all this? After all this, Hitendra Thakur and Kshitij Thakur dropped me in their car," he said.

More than 2 lakh police and security personnel are deployed across Maharashtra to ensure that election is completed in a peaceful environment. This includes the manpower of Maharashtra Police Force, Home Guard Force, Civil Defense Force, Central Armed Police Force, State Armed Police Force, State Reserve Police Force.

In a setback to the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), its Dahanu candidate Suresh Padvi joined the ruling BJP and declared his support to the latter's nominee Vinod Medha, on the eve of the Maharashtra assembly elections. The Dahanu assembly constituency is located in the coastal Palghar district.

"Instead of eating into votes, if a good candidate is elected then the development in the rural area, which has been stuck since the last five years, will be expedited. So I declared support to Vinod Medha," Padvi told reporters. "I discussed the matter with BJP's district level office-bearers and joined the party today," he said.

NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh, who was injured in an attack yesterday, said that the BJP can even shoot him but he will not leave without teaching them a lesson. "I want to tell the people of BJP that you can hit me with stones and even shoot me but (I) Anil Deshmukh will not die. We will not leave without teaching you a lesson," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Some identified persons threw stones at the former Maharashtra home minister's car last evening when he was returning to Katol after attending a meeting in Narkhed village. Police have registered a case in this connection against four unidentified persons on charges of attempt to murder, an official said earlier today.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Tuesday demanded action against BJP leader Vinod Tawde who was allegedly caught red-handed distributing money a day before the state goes to polls. "We have been told that a diary was recovered from Vinod Tawde which showed that Rs 10 crore had already been distributed. Even yesterday, Rs 5 crore in cash was recovered from him. I hope Election Commission has not made any new rules for BJP leaders. Action should be taken against them. They were earlier talking about vote jihad, but have now resorted to note jihad," he said.

Congress on Tuesday expressed disappointment over inaction by the Election Commission against BJP leader Vinod Tawde who was caught red-handed distributing cash in Virar. "He (Tawde) knows that he is the general secretary of BJP and Election Commission is not going to do anything against him. My question is - what is the action taken by the Election Commission? There is clear evidence, and they (BJP) have been caught red-handed ... The rule of the law should be applicable to everyone. If a person is caught red-handed, then he should be arrested immediately," Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said.

Earlier today, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur accused Tawde of distributing money.

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule on Tuesday expressed shock over the Virar cash-for-votes incident where BJP's Vinod Tawde was allegedly caught red-handed distributing money. "It is shocking that a national leader of such a big party is distributing money. This is very dangerous for any democracy. If people want to get elected by distributing money then what should people like us do? Is there morality in this country or not?," she said.

Condemning the incident, Sule said, "I publicly condemn this distribution of money. It should be investigated".

Earlier today, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur accused Tawde of distributing money a day ahead of Maharashtra assembly polls.

A Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) candidate Dilip Maske sustained injuries on Tuesday after unidentified persons pelted stones on his car in Maharashtra's Hingoli district. Maske suffered a head injury and was taken to Nanded for treatment. According to an official, the attack occurred around 1.30am in the Selsura Pati locality on Hingoli-Kalamnuri Road. Five unidentified persons in a four-wheeler hurled stones at Maske's car, he said.

Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur on Tuesday alleged that senior BJP leader Vinod Tawde distributed money to voters in a constituency in Palghar district. The saffron party has, however, rubbished the allegations. "Thakur's claim was nothing more than a publicity stunt and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was making these allegations as it is headed for defeat," BJP said. A purported video of a face-off between Tawde and BVA leaders and workers has surfaced on social media.

Polls for the 288-member state assembly will be held on November 20, and the votes will be counted on November 23.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said that he visited Tuljabhavani Temple and prayed that the reign of corrupt demons ends in Maharashtra. He also sought a response from the ruling government as to who will investigate about the stone that was used to attack Anil Deshmukh.

"I offered prayers at Tuljabhavani Temple and prayed that the reign of corrupt demons ends in Maharashtra. I have prayed that a government should come that will beautify the culture of Maharashtra. Even while coming here, my bag was checked but nothing was found. I have come to know from you people that money was found in Vinod Tawde's bag. Who will investigate the stone that was used in the attack on Anil Deshmukh yesterday?..."

In a bid to support the smooth functioning of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Central Railway has introduced special suburban train services for election officials, staff, and the public. These additional services will run on the nights of November 19-20 and November 20-21, 2024, on major suburban routes — the Main Line (CSMT-Kalyan) and the Harbour Line (CSMT-Panvel).

The special trains will stop at all stations along these routes, offering easy and convenient travel for voters and election personnel.

The Navi Mumbai Traffic Department has released a six-day traffic advisory for the upcoming Maharashtra Elections. The advisory covers Airoli, Belapur, Panvel, and Uran constituencies, providing details on ‘no parking zones,’ vehicle entry/exit points, diversions, and routes to avoid during the election period.

In a concerning incident during the final hours of election campaigning in the Katol constituency, NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh’s car was attacked by unidentified individuals. According to party leader Pravin Kunte Patil, the attack occurred under the cover of darkness after Deshmukh concluded his rally in Narkhed.

The attackers reportedly hurled stones at the vehicle, causing injuries to Deshmukh’s forehead and neck. Though he is recovering, doctors have recommended complete bed rest. Patil described the incident as a “political conspiracy,” raising questions about safety in the heated election environment.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as a dominant force in Maharashtra politics, ruling the state almost uninterruptedly since 2014, barring the 31-month tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Despite its stronghold, the party faced challenges in the 2019 assembly elections.

Seat-Sharing and Performance

In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP and Shiv Sena struck a seat-sharing deal, contesting 164 and 124 seats, respectively. The BJP fielded 150 candidates, with 14 seats going to its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners.

BJP: Won 103 seats

Shiv Sena: Secured 56 seats

Saffron Alliance Total: 159 seats

On the opposition side:

Congress: Won 46 out of 147 seats

NCP: Bagged 54 out of 121 seats

Opposition Total: 100 seats

Although the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance returned to power, their tally dropped by 29 seats compared to the 2014 elections, while the Congress-NCP coalition gained 21 seats.

The political history of Maharashtra boasts diverse leadership, with Sharadchandra Pawar and Prithviraj Chavan marking two ends of the age spectrum for chief ministers in the state.

On July 18, 1978, Sharad Pawar made history as Maharashtra’s youngest chief minister at the age of 37. Leading a coalition of Congress (U) and the Janata Party, he served until 1980 and later held the office twice more, from 1988-1991 and 1993-1995. Now a senior leader with the NCP (SP), Pawar is contesting the 2024 elections as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.

In contrast, Prithviraj Chavan holds the distinction of being Maharashtra’s oldest chief minister. Sworn in on November 11, 2010, at the age of 64, he succeeded Ashok Chavan following the Adarsh Housing Society scam. Leading the state under Congress rule until 2014, Chavan remains an influential figure as an opposition MLA in the current elections.

The Mumbadevi assembly constituency, a significant seat in the upcoming Maharashtra elections, falls under the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency and houses the iconic Mumbadevi temple. Designated as constituency number 186, it is one of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and a key focus in the polls.

The electoral contest here pits Congress veteran Amin Patel against Shiv Sena’s Shaina NC. Patel, who has represented Mumbadevi for three consecutive terms, secured a decisive victory in 2019, defeating Shiv Sena's Pandurang Sakpal by over 23,000 votes. As the battle intensifies, all eyes are on whether Patel can retain his stronghold or if Shaina NC will turn the tide.

Murbad Assembly Constituency, located in Thane district, comprises areas from Titwala, Nandgaon, and Ambernath. It is part of the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha constituency, which includes five other assembly constituencies: Bhiwandi Rural, Bhiwandi East, Bhiwandi West, Kalyan West, and Shahapur.

Historically, Murbad has seen strong competition between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The NCP held the seat in 1999, 2004, and 2009, with the undivided NCP representing it during those years. However, in the 2014 and 2019 assembly elections, Kisan Kathore of the BJP emerged victorious. Kathore, a three-term sitting MLA, has been re-nominated by the BJP for the upcoming elections.

This time, the contest will feature a BJP vs. NCP-Samajwadi Party (SP) face-off, with the NCP-SP alliance fielding Subhash Pawar as their candidate. The Murbad seat is set for a crucial battle in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Two key constituencies in Mumbai are drawing significant attention. Dharavi, often referred to as Asia’s largest slum, is part of the Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha constituency and is a crucial battleground for development-focused campaigns. The area’s redevelopment remains a major concern for both Mumbai and the state, making it a focal point for voters.

Meanwhile, in Malabar Hill, another prominent constituency in Mumbai City District, the race is heating up as Prabhat Mangal Lodha, the sitting MLA, seeks a seventh consecutive term. Malabar Hill is one of the 288 seats up for grabs in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, and Lodha’s campaign is under scrutiny as he aims to retain his position.

Ahead of the elections, polling parties have set out from Saint Ursula School in Nagpur with EVMs, heading to polling booths in the North Nagpur assembly constituency. Meanwhile, in Pune, polling parties have dispatched EVMs from Ganesh Kala Kendra to their designated stations.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh urged voters in Maharashtra and Jharkhand to reject parties supporting Rohingyas and divisive politics. Speaking about the upcoming elections, he echoed Yogi Adityanath's statement, "Stay united, stay safe," and appealed to Jharkhand voters to think about their children's future and the dignity of their families. He accused the JMM-Congress of attempting to turn Dumka into Bangladesh and Jharkhand into a part of Karachi.

NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh was injured after his car was attacked on Katol-Jalalkheda Road last night.

In Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut expressed strong concerns over the state’s law and order situation, stating, “Maharashtra’s law and order has completely collapsed. Such violence has never been witnessed during elections. Devendra Fadnavis, the current Home Minister, is responsible. A conspiracy to murder the former Home Minister in his own city is unacceptable. The Election Commission is also to blame for this deterioration. In just two years, Devendra Fadnavis has ruined the state’s law and order. A former minister like Baba Siddiqui was murdered in the streets of Mumbai, and now a murder attempt has been made on Anil Deshmukh. Fadnavis must take accountability for these events."

In a shocking incident, the sister of Maharashtra BJP MLA and assembly poll candidate Pratap Adsad was attacked with a knife in Amravati district on Monday evening, police confirmed on Tuesday.

The attack occurred around 8 pm, just a day before the state assembly elections set for November 20. Archana Rothe, Adsad’s sister, was traveling in a car when she stopped midway at Satefal Fata in the Amravati Rural area. According to police, two individuals approached her from behind and assaulted her with a knife.

Rothe sustained three knife wounds on her left arm, authorities said. She was immediately assisted by a police team that arrived at the scene, and an investigation into the attack is underway.

Pratap Adsad, who represents the Dhamangaon Railway constituency, has been re-nominated by the BJP to contest the assembly elections. The motive behind the attack has not been clarified yet, and police are working to gather more details.

The commodity market will operate with revised trading hours on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will remain closed for the morning session, from 9 AM to 5 PM. However, the evening trading session will continue as usual, running from 5 PM to 11:55 PM, with a special extension until 9 PM for selected agricultural commodities.

In contrast, the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), India's largest agri-commodity exchange, will be closed for the day.

Additionally, contracts set to expire on November 20, 2024, will be preponed and expire on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, to accommodate the market closure.

Hospitals, emergency medical services, and pharmacies will remain open to cater to urgent healthcare needs. Ambulance services will also be available for those requiring immediate medical attention, ensuring healthcare services remain uninterrupted during the election day.

Public transportation will continue to run as usual on November 20. In Mumbai, key services, including the Metro and BEST buses, will be operational throughout the day, with extended hours until midnight to accommodate voters traveling to polling stations.

All schools, colleges, and educational institutions in Maharashtra will remain closed on November 20 to facilitate the participation of both students and staff in the electoral process. This closure aims to ensure a smooth and efficient voting experience across the state.

Government offices across the state will be closed, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that all private-sector employees in Mumbai will be granted paid leave to vote. Emergency workers will be given a four-hour window during the day to cast their votes.

Stock exchanges in Mumbai, including the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), will observe a holiday on November 20. As a result, there will be no trading activity on the day.

In accordance with the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday list, all banks in Maharashtra will be closed on election day. While physical bank branches remain shut, digital banking services, including ATMs, UPI platforms, and online banking, will continue to operate, allowing customers to access financial services without disruption.

In a bid to streamline the voting process and provide ease of access to crucial information, the tech-savvy Navi Mumbai police have introduced a new web link and QR code for voters. This initiative is aimed at helping Navi Mumbaikars navigate their voting day with convenience.

Voters in the constituencies of Airoli, Belapur, Panvel, and Uran can now quickly access essential details about their polling booths, including their location, parking facilities, and the expected crowd size at each centre. The weblink and QR code offer real-time updates to ensure a hassle-free voting experience.

Vandre West, one of the key constituencies in Mumbai, is closely watched in the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections. Part of the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency, Vandre West (or Bandra West) is designated as seat number 177 in the Mumbai Suburban District. The constituency, currently held by BJP's Ashish Shelar, who is also the Mumbai BJP chief, is up for grabs in the 2024 elections. Shelar will be contesting against Congress' Asif Zakaria.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a two-day visit to Gujarat, expressed confidence in the BJP and its allies securing victories in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Speaking at a gathering organized by the BJP’s Ghatlodia assembly unit on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on Monday, Shah highlighted India’s economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He noted that India, currently the fifth-largest economy, is poised to become the third-largest by 2027.

Mumbai's voter count has surpassed the one-crore mark, a significant increase from the 98.95 lakh registered during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, a civic official announced.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief and Mumbai district election officer Bhushan Gagrani, the city now has 1,02,29,708 eligible voters for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20. The vote count will take place on November 23.

BJP national president JP Nadda countered Gandhi’s remarks, accusing the MVA of divisive politics. Speaking in Navi Mumbai, he accused the opposition of prioritizing power over principles.

“The Maha Vikas Aghadi has no real agenda except gaining power. They thrive on dividing people through appeasement politics and even talk of reservation based on religion—this goes against the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Nadda said.

He contrasted the MVA's approach with Prime Minister Modi's governance model, emphasizing inclusivity. “PM Modi’s mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas reflects our commitment to unity and development for all.”

As both alliances lock horns, the outcome of the polls will determine the trajectory of Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, addressing a press conference in Mumbai, described the Maharashtra elections as a contest of ideologies. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Ek hain to safe hain" slogan, claiming it reflected favoritism toward a select few.

“This election is a battle between a few billionaires and the poor. Billionaires want Mumbai’s land, with estimates suggesting that one billionaire could benefit by Rs 1 lakh crore. Our focus is on the farmers, the unemployed youth, and the poor of Maharashtra,” Gandhi stated.

The high-stakes campaign for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats, the second phase of Jharkhand assembly elections, and 15 assembly bypolls came to a close on Monday. Voting is scheduled for November 20.

In Maharashtra, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is eyeing a return to power, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is pushing for a strong comeback. The Mahayuti comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Meanwhile, the MVA includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP under Sharad Pawar.

The stage is set, and the state is abuzz as voters across 288 constituencies gear up to decide the fate of key political players. Will the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance retain power, or will the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) make a resounding comeback?

Stay tuned for real-time updates, key highlights, and expert insights as the political drama unfolds.