Political Storm Erupts Ahead of Maharashtra Elections Following Rs 5 Crore Cash Seizure in Pune
Amid escalating political tensions, the seizure of Rs 5 crore in cash from an SUV in Pune on Monday evening has ignited a fierce exchange of accusations between maharashtra political parties. The Pune Rural police, who intercepted the vehicle at the Khed Shivapur toll plaza on the Pune-Bengaluru highway, were conducting routine checks as part of heightened security measures ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. One of the occupants of the vehicle, identifying himself as a construction contractor from Sangola in Solapur district, claimed ownership of the cash, though no valid proof was provided at the time of the seizure.
This incident has drawn sharp political criticism, particularly from opposition leaders targeting the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Sanjay Raut, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, alleged that the seized car belonged to an MLA from Shinde’s faction, stoking suspicions of political connections to the unaccounted cash. Raut further claimed that the actual amount involved was Rs 15 crore, far exceeding the Rs 5 crore officially reported by the police. His allegations sparked a wave of political controversy, with opposition leaders seizing on the incident as potential evidence of electoral malpractice ahead of the November elections.
In response to the allegations, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also weighed in, claiming that multiple vehicles were involved in transporting cash but only one was intercepted. Pawar’s comments added fuel to the fire, raising questions about the full extent of the cash movements and potential political implications. Both Raut and Pawar indirectly suggested that Shahajibapu Patil, an MLA from Sangola, was linked to the seized cash, though no concrete evidence has emerged to support their claims at this stage.
Shahajibapu Patil, for his part, has vehemently denied any involvement in the case, dismissing the accusations as politically motivated and without basis. Speaking to the media, Patil asserted that he had no knowledge of the cash and challenged his accusers to provide proof of his connection to the incident. Patil’s denial, however, has done little to quell the political storm, with opposition leaders continuing to call for a thorough investigation.
The Pune Rural police, acting in accordance with the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct, handed over the seized cash to the Income Tax (I-T) department for further investigation. Officials from the I-T department are now tasked with tracing the origins of the cash and its intended destination, with the possibility of legal action if any violations of tax or election laws are uncovered. The I-T department’s investigation will play a crucial role in determining whether the cash was being used for illicit purposes, such as bribery or influencing the upcoming elections.
As Maharashtra gears up for its Assembly elections on November 23, the seizure of such a large sum of unaccounted cash has heightened concerns about the potential for financial misconduct during the electoral process. The Election Commission has already ramped up its enforcement efforts to ensure a fair and transparent election, and the role of law enforcement in curbing illegal activities will be closely scrutinized in the weeks leading up to the vote. The outcome of the investigation could have significant political ramifications, particularly if further evidence emerges linking the cash to any political figures or election-related offenses.
The political fallout from this incident is likely to continue in the days ahead, as parties on both sides of the aisle seek to leverage the controversy to their advantage. With less than a month to go before the elections, this high-profile cash seizure has injected a new level of intensity into an already contentious campaign season, setting the stage for what promises to be a heated political contest in Maharashtra.