BJP’s Alleged Cash Distribution Scandal Resurfaces in Pune, Echoing Lok Sabha Allegations
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Parvati, 19th November 2024: Similar to the Lok Sabha elections, the Mahavikas Aghadi has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is distributing cash on the eve of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections. Once again, the incident is reported to have occurred within the Parvati Constituency, specifically under the limits of Bibwewadi Police Station. The Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) made the allegation, and the candidate, Ashwini Kadam, along with her activists, staged a sit-in protest earlier today in front of the Bibwewadi Police Station.
Ashwini Kadam, representing NCP-SP in the Parvati constituency, is contesting against BJP’s sitting MLA Madhuri Misal from Mahayuti, who is seeking a consecutive fourth term. Earlier today, the Mahavikas Aghadi filmed a video showing some individuals allegedly distributing money to voters, claiming these individuals were connected to the BJP. Ashwini Kadam and her activists then went to the Bibwewadi Police Station, demanding the arrest of the accused and the registration of a case against them. Following this, they staged a sit-in protest at the police station.
During the Lok Sabha elections, sitting MLA of Kasba Peth, Ravindra Dhangekar had also staged a sit-in protest at a police station under the Parvati constituency, accusing the BJP of distributing money. With the ongoing allegations of money distribution by Mahayuti in Pune, along with the recent attack on former corporator Rekha Tingre’s husband, Chandrakant, Mahavikas Aghadi leaders are calling for action against the accused. A written request was submitted to Pune City Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar by key leaders of the Mahavikas Aghadi, including Vandana Chavan, Arvind Shinde, Ankush Kakade, Sanjay More, Bapu Pathare, Ashwini Kadam, and Rekha Tingre.
On the Eve of Lok Sabha Elections…
On 12th May 2024, between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM, on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections in the Pune Lok Sabha constituency, around 100 Congress workers, led by Kasba Peth MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, gathered at the Sahakar Nagar Police Station, which falls under the Parvati constituency, to report alleged money distribution by BJP members. Dhangekar, who was contesting the Pune Lok Sabha seat, urged the police to investigate the claims. However, after requests to file a formal complaint were denied, the group staged an unlawful protest, raising slogans and refusing to disperse. The situation escalated, leading to a case being filed on 13th May against Dhangekar and his supporters for violating multiple sections of the IPC and the Representation of People Act.
