New Delhi, November 23 – BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde has issued a defamation notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate. The notice comes in response to allegations made by Congress leaders accusing Tawde of distributing Rs 5 crore to voters ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The legal notice demands an unconditional public apology from the Congress leaders. Tawde has warned that failure to comply will result in both a civil defamation suit for damages amounting to Rs 100 crore and a criminal defamation case.
Addressing the media, Tawde said, “On the eve of Maharashtra Assembly elections, 19th November, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and party spokesperson Supriya said that Vinod Tawde was caught red-handed with Rs 5 crores distributing to voters and all kind of dramatic statements. They just wanted to defame me and my party.”
Tawde further expressed his anguish over the allegations, saying, “I am seriously hurt. I come from a regular middle-class family. For the last 40 years, I have been in politics. I have never done anything like that. Congress leaders wanted to defame me, my party, and my leaders so they purposefully spoke this untruth to the media and people, hence I have issued a court notice to them that they should apologise publicly or face the action.”
BJP Denies Allegations
The BJP has categorically denied the allegations, labeling them baseless and lacking evidence. BJP MP Sambit Patra stated, “There are no facts, and Vinod Tawde, who is our general secretary, has clearly challenged Rahul (Gandhi) to come and see the CCTV, see it himself, and tell where the money is, who is distributing it. I tell Supriya Sule, Rahul (Gandhi), and Nana Patole that they should give an open challenge that a full investigation should be done.”
Congress Stands Firm
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate has stood by the allegations, claiming that a bag containing Rs 5 crores in cash was recovered from Tawde at a hotel in Virar East. Speaking to reporters, she remarked, “Vinod Tawde is not an ordinary worker but national general secretary of BJP. Why was he in a hotel in Virar East? A bag and Rs 5 crores in cash was recovered from him. Is this not a way to influence elections? He needs to answer why he had Rs 5 crores with him. Vinod Tawde needs to say why was he distributing money?”
Escalating Political Tensions
The allegations have intensified the political rivalry between the BJP and Congress, especially in the midst of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. While Tawde has firmly denied the claims and demanded a public apology, Congress continues to press for answers and a thorough investigation.
