Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West, Devendra Fadnavis, on Wednesday addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged ‘cash for vote’ claims involving BJP leader Vinod Tawde, as well as the release of audio clips allegedly involving NCP’s Supriya Sule and Congress’ Nana Patole.
Fadnavis denied the allegations against Vinod Tawde, stating, “As far as Vinod Tawde is concerned, I made it clear yesterday too that neither did he distribute any money nor was any money found with him. A deliberate attempt was made to stoke controversy; an ecosystem was used.”
On the audio clips involving Sule and Patole, Fadnavis added, “A former IPS officer has levelled allegations and released a few clips, I feel that it is a very serious matter. I would only like to say that this matter should be seriously investigated. The truth needs to come out. Allegations are very serious, this should be fully investigated and a fair report should be brought before people, this is what I think… The voice seems to be similar to Supriya Sule but with all fairness, let everything be clear. If anyone doctor’s voice, it can be deciphered through AI… We hope that it is deciphered at that earliest because I do not consider this an election-related matter, it is a matter related to national security.”
Fadnavis also urged people to vote in large numbers, underlining the importance of voting in a democracy. He said, “The biggest festival of democracy is ongoing. Along with my family, I have cast my vote. I urge everyone to vote in large numbers because voting is not just our right but also our responsibility. We elect a Govt in democracy and hold expectations from them. So, voting is important.”
After casting his vote at a polling booth in Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis, along with his wife Amruta and mother Sarita, showed their inked fingers to the media.
Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.
Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X. “Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote,” PM Modi posted on X.
The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.