Political tensions in Virar intensified on Tuesday (November 19), a day before Maharashtra goes to polls, with Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) workers accusing BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde of trying to influence voters by handing out cash.

The encounter took place at a Virar hotel, where BVA members claimed Tawde was caught with a bag containing cash and a diary detailing the distribution of Rs 15 million. Hitendra Thakur, BVA MLA from Vasai-Virar, accused Tawde of bringing Rs 5 crore in cash.

The situation further escalated when Nalasopara MLA Kshitij Thakur, son of Hitendra Thakur, seized the diary and questioned Tawde’s presence in Virar after the campaign was officially over.

Concerns were also raised about the hotel’s non-functional CCTV cameras. “Action should be taken against the hotel as well. The rooms were turned off because money was being distributed,” Thakur said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray slammed the BJP, referring to his own baggage checks during a visit to the Goddess Tulja Bhavani temple. “My gauges were checked and nothing was found. However, I heard that the money was recovered from Vinod Tawde’s possession. This government must go,” he remarked.

The BJP dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Senior leader Sudhir Mungantiwar termed the allegations “absurd”, pointing out Tawde’s position as national general secretary and questioning the plausibility of such claims.

BJP leader Atul Bhatkhalkar labeled the allegations as “false narratives” concocted by opposition parties fearing electoral defeat. The incident has further polarized the political climate as Maharashtra gears up for critical elections.

In his defence, Tawde said he was there to brief workers in the Nalasopara area about the Model Code of Conduct for polling day, such as how the voting machines would be sealed and how to proceed if an objection was to be made .

However, he supported an impartial investigation by the Election Commission. “Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, the whole party knows me. But let the Election Commission and Police inquire, get CCTV footage.”