Udaipur, November 19: BJP National General Secretary, Vinod Tawde has been accused of distributing cash for gaining votes, a day before the elections in Maharashtra, as per media reports. HItendra Thakur of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) has raised his concern with the Election Commission, who have in turn filed an FIR against Vinod Tawde. Tawde, apparently was caught red handed in a hotel, where he was distributing cash to party workers and voters alike, claim reports.

The BVA leader, speaking to media, claimed that BJP leaders alerted Thakur aboout Tawde planning a visit to Virar to distribute Rs 5 Crore to voters in order to influence them to vote for the BJP. Thakur said that he thought the national leader would not stooop so low, but later, did see Tawde there. His complain led the EC to file and FIR, much to the embarrassment of the leading national party headed by the Prime Minister himself. Thakur also alleged that Tawde and the hotel he was staying in, were in sync with the situation, as the CCTV cameras of the hotel were switched off and only on the insistence of Thakur, were they made operational again.

The BJP, in turn, refuted these allegations, calling it a stunt by the Maha Vikas Aghadi, in the face of defeat in the upcoming elections.

The protestors, belonging to the BVA, surrounded the Vivant Hotel refusing to back out, while Tawde remained in the hotel for over three hours. Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena and Uddhav Thakrey of Shiv Sena UBT raised their opinion on the way BJP was violating the norms. The elections will be held on November 20 and the counting is scheduled on November 23.