PUNE : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stirred controversy during a campaign stop in Malegaon, Baramati tehsil, after telling voters that financial support for their town would depend on whether they backed his party’s candidates in the upcoming Nagar Panchayat elections.
Pawar, who leads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and also oversees the state’s finance department in the BJP–NCP–Shiv Sena coalition, addressed a gathering on Friday while canvassing for the December 2 polls.
Urging residents to elect all 18 nominees fielded by his party, he said he would honour every promise made to the town if the NCP slate won. “If you give full support, I will make sure not a single rupee falls short. But if you turn us down, I too will turn away. You have the power of the vote, and I have the authority over the funds,” he remarked.
Opposition Hits Back
The statement triggered immediate criticism from the Opposition, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accusing Pawar of intimidating voters.
“Public money comes from taxpayers, not from Ajit Pawar’s personal wealth,” Danve said, questioning why the Election Commission was not taking notice of what he described as a clear attempt to influence voters through threats.
In Malegaon, Pawar’s NCP has tied up with a BJP-supported group to contest the local body elections.
