Just a day ahead of Maharashtra elections, two incidents have sparked massive political controversy. First, BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde has found himself embroiled in a major scandal involving alleged cash distribution to voters and second, former home minister Anil Deshmukh got seriously injured in a stone-pelting attack while campaigning, an incident his party, the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), claims was ‘politically motivated’.
As Maharashtra votes tomorrow, the controversies surrounding Vinod Tawde and Anil Deshmukh have raised the stakes for both the BJP and the Opposition. While allegations of vote-buying and politically-motivated violence are serious issues, the government’s financial schemes like the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ are likely to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the elections.
Vinod Tawde accused of ‘cash for votes’
The controversy surrounding Vinod Tawde erupted when Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur accused him of attempting to bribe voters in Palghar. Thakur alleged that Tawde was involved in distributing large sums of money in a bid to sway votes ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. According to Thakur, BJP leaders had informed him that Tawde was in Virar to distribute Rs 5 crore to influence voters. Thakur claimed that when he arrived at the hotel where Tawde was staying, he witnessed suspicious activity, including the deactivation and later reactivation of the hotel’s CCTV system after his team raised concerns. Video footage circulating on social media showed BVA workers confronting Tawde outside the hotel.
Tawde, however, vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that he was in Nalasopara for election-related duties and offering guidance to local officials. He challenged the opposition to verify his activities and accused them of making baseless claims. Despite the BJP’s denial, the controversy quickly gained traction, with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of abusing government machinery for electoral gain.
The Election Commission of India has taken cognisance of the incident and the Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar police confirmed that two FIRs have been filed in connection with the case under sections of the Representation of People’s Act.
Anil Deshmukh attacked in Nagpur
In a separate incident, former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh was seriously injured in an attack while campaigning in Nagpur at around 8 PM on Monday. Deshmukh’s car was pelted with stones by unidentified assailants as he was returning from a meeting in Narkhed. The incident occurred near Belphata on Jalalkheda Road, and Deshmukh suffered injuries to his head and shoulder. He was quickly transported to Katol Civil Hospital before being transferred to a private facility for further treatment.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – Sharad Pawar faction leader described the attack as a “conspiracy” and has accused the BJP of being behind the incident. Police have registered a case against four unidentified persons of attempted murder
Mahayuti’s ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ – A game changer?
While the controversies surrounding Tawde and Deshmukh dominate headlines, the Maharashtra government’s financial assistance scheme for women, the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, could be a crucial factor in influencing voters. Under this initiative, women aged 18-65 years are eligible for a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500. The scheme, which aims to support around 2.5 crore women across the state, has received significant attention, particularly in rural and urban areas alike.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has touted the scheme as a “game-changer”. According to a survey conducted by MIT-SOG and Lokniti-CSDS in October, eight in 10 voters were aware of the Ladki Bahin scheme. Seven in 10 had benefited from it directly.
The widespread popularity of the scheme could potentially sway voters, especially among women, in favour of the ruling Mahayuti alliance of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP.