The Palghar Police in Maharashtra registered a case against BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde and party candidate Rajan Naik in connection with the alleged distribution of cash to voters at a hotel in Palghar, an official said on Tuesday

Hours before the Maharashtra assembly polls, BVA leader Hitendra Thakur accused Vinod Tawde of distributing Rs 5 crore at a hotel in Virar, 60 km from Mumbai, to woo voters, a claim the BJP leader denied, saying he was only providing guidance to party workers on poll procedures

A viral video showed BVA party supporters barging into the Virar hotel room and flinging bundles of cash at Tawde's face before police escorted him out

Based on a complaint lodged by the Election Commission, the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police registered a first information report against Tawde and Rajan Naik, who is contesting the November 20 state polls from the Nallasopara seat, an official from the Tulinj police said

After a ruckus of over three hours at the hotel, Hitendra Thakur, his son Kshitij, Tawde, and BJP candidate Naik decided to hold a press conference at the hotel. However, as the press conference started, it was stopped by poll officials stating it was illegal

Meanwhile, the BJP on Tuesday rejected the allegation of distribution of cash to voters by one of its senior leaders in Maharashtra's Palghar, claiming the opposition camp is trying to influence the election with such "absurd" accusations sensing defeat in the state assembly polls