"Not healthy for our democracy": Amit Deshmukh responds to allegations against Vinod Tawde in cash-for-votes row

Latur (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 (ANI): Congress candidate from Latur City, Amit Deshmukh, on Wednesday after casting his vote expressed concerns over the recent allegations involving BJP leader Vinod Tawde's involvement in alleged cash distribution ahead of the assembly elections.
Deshmukh stated, "I don't think that the allegations are baseless. You all have seen what happened, but it seems like no action is being taken. It appears that the matter is being swept under the carpet, but this is not good for democracy. This is not healthy for our electoral system or our democracy."
Deshmukh, however, remained optimistic about the election results. He said, "I believe that when the results come, the Maha Vikas Aghadi will have the support of more than 200 MLAs." According to Deshmukh, the final seat distribution and decisions on the next steps will only be made after the results are declared.
He also underlined that the selection of the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be decided by the party's top leadership. "The selection of the Chief Minister depends on the top leaders of the party. I believe that the newly elected members will discuss the matter, and the party leaders will make the final decision. Our top priority is to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra," Deshmukh told ANI.
Earlier in the day, Deshmukh, along with his wife and family, cast his vote and encouraged the public to participate in the democratic process. He said, "I along with my entire family voted today. I will visit polling stations throughout the day, meet voters, party workers, and leaders, and gather information on how the voting process is going." Deshmukh added that he planned to stay engaged throughout the day, ensuring a smooth voting process and gathering feedback from the ground.
Deshmukh's wife, Aditi Deshmukh, also spoke to ANI about the importance of voting, urging citizens to exercise their rights. "Yes, I would appeal to every man and woman, especially, to exercise their right and responsibility to vote. It is very important for everyone. I appeal to everyone to go out and vote," she said.
When asked about the possibility of her husband becoming the Chief Minister, Aditi said, "I think it's in the hands of God whether he becomes the Chief Minister if the people give the majority to Maha Vikas Aghadi. It is a great opportunity for development, and whatever happens next will be by God's will."
Voting began at 7 am for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.
Ahead of the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to vote via his official account on social media platform X. "Today, votes will be cast for all the seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to participate with full enthusiasm and add to the splendour of this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come out in large numbers to vote," PM Modi posted on X.
The primary contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), while the opposition MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress won 44. In 2014, the BJP claimed 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)