BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, accused of distributing cash in exchange for votes just before voting in Maharashtra, is making headlines across the country. Tawde is on the radar of the opposition after the Election Commission took FIR action. On one hand, from Rahul Gandhi to big leaders of Congress and opposition, they are targeting BJP through Tawde.
On the other hand, BJP is strongly engaged in the defense of Tawde. The party says that a conspiracy is being hatched against Tawde. However, this is not the first case when Tawde is in the headlines due to some controversy. Tawde, who started his political career from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, has already been in the political discussion on 5 occasions.
1. Became MLA for the first time, got a place in the cabinet
Vinod Tawde was elected MLA for the first time in 2014. BJP had made him its candidate from Borivali seat of Mumbai. Borevali seat is considered a stronghold of BJP. After being elected MLA, Vinod Tawde was included in the Maharashtra government.
Tawde was given the responsibility of the most important education department at that time. Apart from this, Tawde was given the responsibility of important departments like Transport, Minority, Border Security and Parliamentary Affairs.
Considering Tawde’s stature in the political circles at that time, he was also projected as a contender for the post of CM.
2. Has come into controversy regarding degree
In 2015, a report claimed that the engineering degree held by Vinod Tawde is fake. There was a lot of uproar in Maharashtra politics regarding this issue. At that time the opposition created ruckus from the House to the streets for several days.
According to the allegation, Vinod Tawde has obtained BE (Electronics) degree from Dnyaneshwar Vidyapeeth, Pune. This degree was not recognized by the government. At that time, Devendra Fadnavis had to come into the field to defend Tawde.
Tawde also held a press conference and explained in detail about his degree. However, he also said that the information I have given is correct.
3. Dispute with Fadnavis and ticket canceled
By 2018, the political distance between Devendra Fadnavis and Vinod Tawde started increasing. On many occasions their voices were at odds with each other. It is said that at that time Tawde used to put only Narendra Modi’s picture on his posters, which indicated that he was still in the race for CM.
However, Tawde was in trouble in the 2019 assembly elections. BJP did not even give him a symbol. Tawde was the first senior minister of the government whose ticket was cut.
After being denied the ticket, Tawde became sidelined in politics. He remained isolated in Maharashtra politics for 2 years.
4. If you get promotion, come closer to the high command
Vinod Tawde got promotion after Bhupendra Yadav became minister in 2021. He was given the chair of National General Secretary in JP Nadda’s team. Tawde was appointed in-charge of Bihar. After this Tawde came close to the BJP high command.
Vinod Tawde played a big role in getting Nitish Kumar back to NDA before 2024. BJP could not get absolute majority in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 and Nitish is currently in the role of kingmaker in the government.
5. Trapped in cash for votes, keep giving clarifications
BJP’s national general secretary Vinod Tawde is considered the leader of the organization. Tawde plays a big role in closing the loopholes of the organization. Even in the Maharashtra elections, he was given the responsibility of fixing the problems, but just 24 hours before the voting, a video has increased his tension.
Tawde is accused of distributing Rs 5 crore in collaboration with the BJP candidate in Nalasopara Assembly. Tawde is giving clarification in this matter. Tawde says that the Commission can take strict action by conducting an investigation in the matter.
