Maharashtra cash-for-votes controversy: Vinod Tawde issues defamation notices to Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Supriya Shrinate

Vinod Tawde demands apology from Rahul Gandhi, others over ‘cash-for-votes’ row

Maharashtra BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde, who is embroiled in the ongoing cash-for-votes scandal, has served a defamation notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate. The move comes after the trio made public allegations against Tawde in connection with the controversy.

In a statement shared on social media, Tawde accused the Congress leaders of spreading false claims to tarnish his image and that of the BJP.

“The only work of Congress is to spread lies. I have sent a defamation notice to Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Supriya Shrinate for their baseless allegations in the Nallasopara case. They have tried to malign my image by spreading lies,” Tawde wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that no evidence had been found to support the claim of Rs.5 crore being involved, as the Election Commission and police investigations had failed to recover the alleged amount.

Tawde also criticized Congress for engaging in what he called “low-level politics” aimed at misleading the public. He further claimed that their statements were deliberately timed on November 19, the day before the state Assembly elections, to damage the BJP’s prospects and defame its image. “The damage is unquantifiable; however, our client values the same to Rs.100 crore for the purpose of civil action,” read the defamation notice.

The controversy began on November 19 when the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), led by Hitendra Thakur, accused Tawde of distributing cash to voters at a hotel in Virar, Mumbai, ahead of the November 20 elections. Following these allegations, Election Commission officials reported the recovery of Rs.9.93 lakh from Tawde’s hotel rooms, leading to the registration of three FIRs by the police.

A joint press conference planned by Tawde and Thakur was later halted by the Election Commission, which deemed it illegal on the eve of voting. Tawde has denied all charges, while opposition parties, including the BVA, have called for his arrest. Despite the controversy, Tawde and Thakur were seen leaving the venue together in the same car.

The BJP has stood by Tawde, claiming that the allegations are part of a broader conspiracy to malign his reputation and the party’s image ahead of the crucial elections.

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