‘Vinod Tawde not guilty’: Fadnavis defends BJP leader amid cash-for-votes row; ₹9.93 lakh cash, docs seized from hotel

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has defended Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Vinod Tawde after Bahujan Vikas Aghadi chief Hitendra Thakur's accused Vinod Tawde of distributing money to voters at a Palghar hotel on the eve of voting in the Assembly elections. Vinod Tawde is not guilty at all, he is just being accused.” Hitendra Thakur said, “The hotel administration seems to be in cahoots with Tawde and the BJP. He was distributing money to manipulate voters.” Meanwhile, as the alleged scandal exposed, a police team comprising senior officials raided the hotel where Vinod Tawde was present and recovered ₹9.93 lakh cash and some incriminating documents. After this, Nalla Sopara returning officer, a team of police the joint police commissioner and two deputy police commissioners raided the hotel and recovered ₹9.93 lakh cash and some incriminating documents, the official said.