BJP leader Vinod Tawde on Wednesday dismissed allegations of distributing money at a hotel in Vasai Virar to influence voters. He said that he knows the rules well and that he is not stupid to indulge in such an activity.

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Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur on Tuesday accused Tawde of distributing Rs 5 crore to the hotel, leading to a big drama just ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections. An election official said on Tuesday that Rs 9.93 lakh was recovered from the hotel rooms. Tawde denied the allegation, saying he was only giving guidance to party workers on polling procedures.

“Hotel Vivanta (at Virar in Palghar) is owned by the Thakur family. I am not stupid to go to their hotel and distribute money there,” Tawde told reporters. He also said he has been in politics for 40 years and knows the rules and regulations, especially the “silence period” before elections. “I had a casual chat with party workers. I was not campaigning,” Tawde said.

Leaders of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have demanded a comprehensive inquiry by the Election Commission.

BJP uses every trick to win Maharashtra: Sanjay Singh

AAP leader Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of using any trick to win Maharashtra, offering provocative slogans like ‘Batenge toh kathenge’ to distract people. “Notes are being distributed to make Maharashtra an adani nation. That’s why you have to be careful. They are trying to buy you,” Singh said.

He added, “This is the same Tawde who used the trick of buying and selling during the Chandigarh mayoral elections to make the BJP win through illegal means, which was struck down by the Supreme Court. Yesterday he was seen again handing out notes in a hotel. The public will respond to these people who are killing democracy and destroying the constitution.”