Mumbai, 19 November 2024

In this election, the ruling party has been using government machinery and there have been reports about supplies being sent via police vehicles. Now, it has come to light that BJP’s national leader and former Education Minister Vinod Tawde is himself distributing money. As the BJP-Shinde government face defeat, they are attempting to win elections by buying votes and using money earned through corruption. This has exposed the true face of the BJP. Nana Patole, the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, has demanded that the Election Commission take strict against the Bharatiya Janata Party and Vinod Tawde in this matter.

Speaking on the matter, Nana Patole said that on November 19, 2024, a serious incident came to light where BJP’s National General Secretary and former Education Minister Vinod Tawde was caught distributing money at Hotel Vivanta in Virar. It is reported that the amount in question was Rs 5 crore. News related to the incident was also shown on various news channels. The distribution of money in Virar is an extremely serious issue. While there could be attempts to suppress this case, the Election Commission must act impartially, transparently, and firmly, without succumbing to any pressure, to demonstrate that everyone is equal under the rule of law.

It is the duty of the Election Commission to conduct Assembly elections impartially and transparently. However, looking at recent events, it is evident that action is being taken only against opposition parties, while the ruling parties are being spared. Incidents such as searching opposition leaders’ bags, denying them permission for flights and helicopter rides, and causing delays have occurred. Initially, after complaints were made, it was showcased that the bags of ruling party leaders were being searched.

Fifteen days ago, Rs 5 crore was found in a vehicle near Khed Shivapur on the Pune highway, but the police have not yet disclosed who is the owner of the money, nor has there been clarity on what happened with the case. Similarly, a large amount of cash was discovered in a hotel in Nashik, allegedly linked to the ruling party, but the police action in that case was unsatisfactory. While nothing incriminating was found in the bags of opposition leaders, cash-filled bags belonging to ruling party members have come to light.

In another incident, the vehicle of a former state Home Minister was attacked with stones, leaving him injured. Such incidents do not befit Maharashtra, the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Phule, and Ambedkar. The BJP-Shinde alliance’s attempts to win elections by any means will not be tolerated by the public, Nana Patole asserted.

Mumbai, 19 November 2024

Ever since the assembly elections were announced in the state, there has been a massive misuse of power and money by the ruling parties. Disbursement of money to voters is going on in complete violation of the model code of conduct and rules. Leaders of opposition parties are being attacked. Today BJP national general secretary and former state minister Vinod Tawde was caught red-handed while distributing money to voters. Using the money earned through corruption, the BJP and the ruling party are working to tarnish democracy by buying votes. Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat has demanded that the Election Commission should take strict action against BJP and Vinod Tawde.

Speaking in this regard, Thorat said that the Election Commission has implemented a code of conduct for the elections to be conducted fairly and transparently. But every day there are incidents of violation of the code of conduct by the ruling parties in the state. BJP national general secretary and former minister Vinod Tawde was caught red-handed by citizens at Vivanta Hotel in the Vasai Virar area today when he was giving money to voters. The entire country has seen the videos of this entire incident on news channels. Police and Election Commission officials were present at the spot. Almost Rs 10 lakh cash has also been seized but no one has been arrested. What was Tawde doing in Vasai-Virar even though the law prohibits non-constituency leaders and star campaigners from staying in the constituency after the election campaign? Why didn’t the Election Commission officials and the police stop them? Why was he not arrested even though he was caught red-handed while distributing the money? Many such questions have arisen. Just yesterday, a huge amount of money was found in a hotel in Nashik city. Even before that, an amount of Rs 5 crore was found in a vehicle belonging to the ruling party in the Pune area. Crores of rupees are being received daily in various parts of the state but unfortunately, no action is being taken. Therefore, Thorat has demanded that the Election Commission should take strict action against BJP and Vinod Tawde to conduct fair and transparent elections.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 is just around the corner and all eyes are on the big fight between the ruling Mahayuti, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Ajit Pawar (NCP); and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led by Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) and Nana Patole (Congress).

This will be the second direct fight between the Mahayuti and MVA after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Ruling in the capital city, Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is what any political party wants. Constituencies like Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali, Mumbra, Bhiwandi and Navi Mumbai play a crucial role.

Battle In Dombivali

Dombivali (143) assembly constituency falls in Thane district. It was formed after the delimitation in 2008. It is part of the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency along with five other constituencies namely, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Kalyan East, Kalyan Rural and Mumbra-Kalwa. The constituency has been single-handedly led by BJP’s Ravindra Chavan since its first assembly elections in 2009.

Mahayuti has nominated sitting three-term BJP MLA Ravindra Chavan from Dombivali and MVA has fielded a young face, Shiv Sena UBT’s Dipesh Mhatre. If Chavan wins this election, he will be representing the constituency for the fourth consecutive time.

Past Poll Statistics

Since its first assembly elections in Kalyan East in 2009, BJP’s Ravindra Chavan was elected as the MLA defeating MNS’ Rajesh Kadam. In 2014, Chavan defeated the undivided Shiv Sena’s Dipesh Mhatre with a margin of 46,225 votes. In 2019, Chavan defeated MNS’ Mandar Halbe with a margin of 41,311 votes.

Performance During 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

Dombivali assembly constituency is part of the Kayan Lok Sabha constituency, which was formed after delimitation in 2008. Shiv Sena’s Dr Shrikant Shinde, son of CM Eknath Shinde is the three-term MP from Kalyan. He was re-elected in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by defeating Sena UBT’s Vaishali Darekar-Rane. From Dombivali assembly constituency, Shinde got 99,734 votes and Rane got 34,531 votes.

About Dombivali Seat

Dombivali is not a reserved seat and is allotted to General Category candidates. The total number of registered voters during the 2019 assembly elections were 3,56,082 and the voter turnout was 40.82 percent.