Mumbai- BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde has served a legal notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate, demanding an unconditional apology for allegations accusing him of distributing cash for votes during the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The notice, sent on Friday, warns of criminal and civil defamation proceedings worth ₹100 crore if the Congress leaders fail to apologise within 24 hours. Tawde also demanded the apology be published in three English and three regional newspapers and on social media platform X.
The controversy stems from the so-called “Nallasopara case,” where Congress alleged that ₹5 crore was seized from Tawde and his associates in Vasai-Virar. Congress leaders claimed the cash was being used to influence voters ahead of the November 20 elections.
Tawde, however, dismissed the allegations as “baseless lies,” stating that no such money was recovered during investigations by the Election Commission and the police. In a post on X, he accused Congress of “low-level politics” and “spreading falsehoods” to tarnish his and the BJP’s reputation.
“The truth is clear — the alleged ₹5 crore was never recovered. Congress has resorted to desperate measures to mislead the nation. The BJP stands tall, backed by truth and the people’s trust,” Tawde wrote.
The incident occurred a day before polling when Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) activists claimed Tawde and BJP workers were distributing money at a hotel in Vasai-Virar. Video footage allegedly showing activists with ₹500 notes went viral but failed to directly substantiate the charges.
Senior BJP leaders rallied behind Tawde, accusing the Congress of attempting to malign the party’s image. Tawde has vowed to pursue legal action if the Congress leaders fail to comply with his demands.
