Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) National General Secretary Vinod Tawde on Tuesday said that he dismissed the charge levelled by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) that the BJP was “distributing money” ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

“A meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. I went there to tell them about the Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made. The workers of the party (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi), Appa Thakur and Kshitij thought that we were distributing money. Let the Election Commission and Police inquire, let them get CCTV footage. I have been in the party for 40 years. Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, and the entire party knows me. Still, I believe that the Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation,” Tawde said.

What is MVA’s allegation on Vinod Tawde?

This comes after the workers of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) on Tuesday created a ruckus outside a hotel located at Nalasopara assembly constituency in Palghar district alleging the BJP of “distributing money.”

The BVA workers created a ruckus outside the Vivanta Hotel in Virar where BJP leader Vinod Tawde was holding a meeting with the party workers. Meanwhile, BVA’s Thakur created a ruckus outside the hotel along with his workers and accused the BJP of distributing money.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Chitra Wagh on Tuesday lashed out at the Congress after the attack on Archana Rothe, who is the sister of BJP MLA Pratap Adsad, hinting at Congress candidate Virendra Jagtap of being complicit. Adsad is contesting the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra from Dhamangaon Railway in Amravati.

Wagh, Maharashtra BJP Mahila Morcha President, informed that Archana Rothe was attacked by unknown miscreants who intended to kill her. She said that such incidents would not be tolerated and a “befitting” reply to such people.

“There has been a very deadly attack on Archana Rothe, sister of our candidate and MLA Pratap Adsad. Some unknown miscreants attacked her, wanted to kill her… We will never tolerate such incidents. We will give a befitting reply to such people,” Wagh said.

BJP reacts after MVA’s allegation

Reacting on the controversy day before polls, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, “In Maharashtra, a baseless allegation has been made as a last attempt by the MVA… Vinod Tawde is our National Secretary and is looking after several functions of the party… The candidate of the (Nalasopara) constituency asked him to attend the meeting. He was passing from nearby, so he agreed… Such meetings are done to instruct the party workers regarding the polling process… We insist that the CCTV of the hotel and the nearby areas be checked… Rs 5 crores cannot be brought in a pocket. It would be visible if someone were carrying it… They should show proof and not make baseless allegations…”

Maharashtra elections tomorrow

Campaigning also concluded for by-elections to 15 assembly constituencies in four states along with Maharashtra’s Nanded Parliamentary Constituency. The polls are scheduled for November 20, with counting set for November 23.