In a significant legal development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary and former Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde has issued a ₹100-crore defamation notice to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Supriya Shrinate. The notice was prompted by social media posts from the Congress leaders accusing Tawde of being involved in voter bribery ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Allegations and Controversy
The controversy originated from an incident on November 19 at a Nallasopara hotel, where it was alleged that Tawde was distributing ₹5 crore to influence voters. This led to the Tulinj police in the Vasai-Virar area filing cases against Tawde for purportedly violating the election code of conduct. The Congress leaders were quick to take to social media, using the incident to criticize the BJP. Rahul Gandhi questioned the origin of the alleged ₹5 crore in a post on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting it was misappropriated public money. Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of using "money and muscle power" to influence elections in Maharashtra, further asserting that the state’s voters would reject such practices.
Tawde's Legal Response
In his defamation notice, Tawde described the accusations as baseless, false, and malicious. He demanded an unconditional apology from the Congress leaders within 24 hours. The apology, he stipulated, must be prominently published in three leading English, Hindi, and Marathi newspapers, as well as on social media. Failing compliance, Tawde warned of legal repercussions, including criminal charges under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which could lead to a two-year prison term. Additionally, he announced plans to initiate civil proceedings seeking ₹100 crore in damages.
In a statement shared on social media, Tawde dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attempts to tarnish his and the BJP’s image. He emphasized that investigations by the Election Commission and the police had found no evidence of the alleged ₹5 crore. Tawde accused the Congress of resorting to desperate and misleading tactics to gain political mileage. “This case exposes the Congress's low-level politics. The BJP stands tall, backed by truth and the people’s trust,” Tawde remarked in his post.
The Road Ahead
The legal notice escalates tensions between the BJP and Congress as Maharashtra heads into a crucial political phase. Tawde’s strong rebuttal, coupled with his threat of criminal and civil action, signals a firm stance against allegations of corruption. The Congress leaders, who are yet to respond to the notice, now face mounting pressure to substantiate their claims or retract their statements. The incident has also raised questions about the role of social media in political discourse and the accountability of public figures in making serious accusations. As the story unfolds, both sides are preparing for what could become a high-stakes legal and political battle.
Share
Tweet
