Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on November 19 slammed BJP and its general secretary Vinod Tawde for 'note jihad' after the saffron party leader was accused of distributing money to voters in Palghar a day ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
"Vinod Tawde should get a PhD, he is being hailed (sarcastically) for dismantling governments in few states, and forming BJP governments in few states, what is the real reason? This is BJP's 'note jihad', it is like distributing money and winning," Thackeray told reporters.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed to voters in public meetings to counter "vote jihad" with Dharmayuddha of votes.
"Now we have to see what election commission does? It should not be done away by putting a case, there should be an action," said Thackeray, calling for an action by the Election Commission of India against BJP's Vinod Tawde over accusations of cash distribution.
He also warned that if action was not taken, the people of the state will react. "Based on the evidence, action should be taken. Otherwise, Maharashtra will take action on its own," he said.
On November 19, Tawde was caught in a huge row after Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur accused him of distributing money to voters in Palghar.
The saffron party denied the claims, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) accused it of misusing government machinery and engaging in corrupt practices.
Tawde, however, asserted that he was in Nalasopara to provide guidance regarding election procedures and challenged the opposition parties to verify his activities.
Talking to reporters, BVA MLA Thakur said, "Some BJP leaders informed me that party general secretary Tawde had come to Virar to disburse Rs 5 crore to influence voters. I thought a national leader like him would not stoop to such a trivial task. But I saw him here. I urge the Election Commission to take action against him and the BJP." The BVA legislator alleged the hotel Tawde was staying shut the CCTV recording.
"The hotel administration seems to be in cahoots with Tawde and the BJP. They only activated their CCTV after we requested it. He was distributing money to manipulate voters," he said.
A video has surfaced on social media in which BVA workers can be seen confronting Tawde outside the hotel where he was staying.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Purnima Chowgule Shringi of Zone II, Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police commissionerate, confirmed that two first information reports have been registered at the Tulinj police station in connection with incidents linked to the hotel where the alleged cash distribution took place.
With agency inputs
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