Cash-for-votes allegations surface during local body polls; arrests made, audio clip triggers stir

Allegations of cash distribution to influence voters marked the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Dharashiv district, with police action in Bhoom tehsil and a viral audio clip creating political ripples on polling day.

Late Friday night at around 1.45 am, Bhoom police arrested three workers of the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) for allegedly distributing cash to voters near Jaywant Nagar Chowphuli. Acting on a tip-off received during a night patrol, police inspector Kangude directed police sub-inspector Sarode to raid the spot. The accused Shailesh Waghmare, Santosh Panhaale (both residents of Panhalwadi) and Pandurang Pimple (Bavi) were found with cash. Police seized four party flags, three bundles of pamphlets, a register containing voters’ names, and two bundles of Rs 100 notes totalling Rs 20,000. A case was registered against all three at Bhoom police station on Saturday morning.

------

Meanwhile, a controversy erupted after an audio clip allegedly discussing cash distribution in four villages of the Jawala group went viral on polling day. The villages mentioned include Hinganagaon, Jawala, Sirsav and Wakdi, where Dhananjay Sawant, the rebel nephew of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Tanaji Sawant, is contesting. The voice in the clip is claimed to resemble that of MLA Sawant, though its authenticity has not been verified. The purported conversation with a party worker allegedly refers to preparing voter lists, sharing them via WhatsApp, and spending Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 per vote if required, stating there should be no compromise even if Rs 1 crore or Rs 2 crore is needed, as the situation had turned sensitive. Though claimed to be two to three days old, the clip surfaced widely on polling day. No complaint has been lodged with the election authorities so far, and it remains unclear whether the audio is genuine or fabricated.