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Dirty Money, Clean Exit: Tawde's Cash-for-Vote Drama

Just 24 hours before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Palghar's political scene erupted in chaos. What began as a typical pre-election buzz quickly escalated into an OTT drama crammed with cash-filled briefcases and a cast of characters fit for any soap opera.

At the centre of this mess is BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde, who is caught in a cash-for-vote scandal straight out of a heist film. The drama unfolded at Hotel Vivanta, where Tawde allegedly met with local BJP leaders, including Nalasopara candidate Rajan Naik. Cash was reportedly being handed out as if it were polling day at a casino.

Enter BVA (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi) leader Hitendra Thakur, who wasted no time accusing Tawde of distributing Rs 5 crores to sway voters. BVA workers stormed the hotel, pulling bundles of cash from bags and claimed to have seized diaries with names and bribe amounts. To add to the drama, Tawde allegedly tried to flee, only to seek refuge in the hotel kitchen.

A viral video captured Tawde attempting to wriggle out, denying any wrongdoing. "I'm here to discuss election procedures," he insisted, as if the money and diaries were uncanny coincidences.