Rahul Gandhi takes “SAFE” jibe at PM Modi over cash-for-vote row in Maharashtra
New Delhi [India], November 19 (ANI): Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kahrge took a “SAFE” jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday over the recent allegation surrounding the Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vinod Tawde of “distributing money” in a hotel in Maharashtra ahead of the assembly polls.
This comes after the workers of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) on Tuesday created a ruckus outside a hotel, where Tawde was holding a meeting with the party workers, in the Nalasopara assembly constituency in Palghar district.
Notably, Prime Minister Modi and other BJP leaders have been using the slogan ‘Ek hain to safe hain’ slogan during the poll campaign.
Taking to social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi questioned PM Modi from whose “SAFE” the money came.
“Modiji, from whose SAFE did these 5 crores come? Who looted the public’s money and sent you in the tempo?” Rahul Gandhi stated.
मोदी जी, यह 5 करोड़ किसके SAFE से निकला है? जनता का पैसा लूटकर आपको किसने Tempo में भेजा? https://t.co/Dl1CzndVvl
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 19, 2024
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge attacked PM Modi over the issue, and said while the Prime Minister promises to keep Maharashtra “SAFE” with money and muscle power, party leader is being “caught red-handed” with Rs 5 crores cash.
He added that this is “not the ideology” of Maharashtra and the people will answer this through their votes tomorrow.
“Modi Ji wants to make Maharashtra “SAFE” with “money power” and “muscle power’!” On one hand, there is a deadly attack on the former Home Minister of the state; on the other hand, a senior BJP leader is caught red-handed with Rs 5 crore in cash! This is not the ideology of Maharashtra; the public will answer this by voting tomorrow,” Kahrge said on X.
Earlier today, the Congress party posted a video on X, where BJP leader Vinod Tawde was seen along with the public holding the money.
The party accused the BJP leaders of influencing the elections using money and urged the Election Commission to take cognizance of the matter and also to take strict action against it.
“BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde has been caught distributing money in a hotel in Maharashtra. Vinod Tawde had taken the money in a bag and was calling people there and distributing the money. When the public came to know about this news, there was a huge uproar. Many videos of Vinod Tawde with money are coming out. Voting is about to take place in Maharashtra; just before that, BJP leaders are busy influencing the elections using money. This includes workers as well as big leaders. The Election Commission should take cognizance of this matter and take strict action,” the party said on X.
Meanwhile, Tawde dismissed the charge levelled by Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) that the BJP was “distributing money” ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
“A meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. I went there to tell them about the Model Code of Conduct for the day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be made. The workers of the party (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi), Appa Thakur and Kshitij thought that we were distributing money. Let the Election Commission and Police inquire, let them get CCTV footage. I have been in the party for 40 years. Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, and the entire party knows me. Still, I believe that the Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation,” Tawde said.