BJP is distributing money all over Maharashtra, but why only Vinod Tawde was caught, that too an OBC leader… This was the first reaction of Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut on the Nalasopara cash scandal. It is also discussed in the political circles of Maharashtra that after 2014, all the strong contenders for the post of CM in BJP have definitely been embroiled in some scam or serious allegation.
Because of these allegations, the CM’s position has gone far away from the leaders. The list includes names ranging from Eknath Khadse and Pankaja Munde to Vinod Tawde.
Tawde stuck in limbo for the second time
Vinod Tawde, who started his political career from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, was a strong contender for the post of Chief Minister in 2014. At that time, there used to be only the picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tawde’s poster, but the victory went to Devendra Fadnavis.
Tawde was made a minister in the Fadnavis cabinet. He also got huge ministries, but within a year he was accused of having a fake degree. Tawde could not remain politically vocal after this.
Tawde’s ticket was canceled in the 2019 assembly elections. After this Tawde became isolated from the politics of Maharashtra. In 2021, BJP made him return to mainstream politics by making him National General Secretary.
Tawde was a strong contender for the post of Chief Minister in this election too, but now the way the cash scandal has come to light, his claim has become weak. However, Tawde is continuously distancing himself from this matter and demanding an investigation.
Khadse had to leave BJP
After Gopinath Munde entered central politics, Eknath Khadse was a very vocal OBC leader within BJP. Khadse was considered a contender for Chief Minister, but he got a place in the cabinet only. Khadse was quite on the front foot when he was a cabinet minister.
Meanwhile, his name came up in a land scam in Pune. The investigation of this scam was started first by the state agency and then by the ED. After this, Khadse came on the backfoot politically. He had to leave BJP. Khadse’s politics could not reach the peak again.
Eknath Khadse’s daughter is currently in Sharad Pawar’s party and Khadse himself has announced his retirement from politics. Sharad Pawar’s NCP has fielded Khadse’s daughter from Muktinagar assembly.
Pankaja Munde also faces serious allegations
After BJP’s victory in 2014, Gopinath Munde’s political heir Pankaja Munde staked claim for the post of Chief Minister. While talking to journalists, Pankaja Munde said that the public sentiment regarding the post of CM is in her favor.
However, he did not get the post of Chief Minister. Pankaja was made a minister in the Fadnavis cabinet. During this time he was accused of chikki scam.
The allegation said that when she was a minister, Pankaja ignored the rules of the contract worth about Rs 206 crore for the purchase of chikki, carpet, utensils, books, notebooks, water filters and other items for the school of tribal children.
Even though Pankaja later got a clean chit on this charge, she was played politically. Pankaja also lost the assembly elections from Parli in 2019. In 2024, he was fielded from Beed Lok Sabha. Here also Pankaja could not win.
Pankaja is currently a member of the Legislative Council and does organization politics.
Is this just a coincidence or a political experiment?
The main reason for this question being raised in the political circles of Maharashtra is the statement of MLA Hitendra Thakur who accused Vinod Tawde of distributing money. While talking to journalists, Thakur said that some of my BJP friends had given information about this.
According to Thakur, when our supporters went to the hotel, they found money and a diary in the hotel. Police should investigate this matter impartially. Tawde should also be asked what he was doing here during the silent period?
