Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 6: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday clarified that his recent remarks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been misrepresented by the media and that he had not levelled any allegations against the ruling alliance.

Pawar said his statement was intended to underline that the Maharashtra government was functioning effectively under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, he claimed that only selective portions of his remarks were aired, leading to a different interpretation, news agency ANI reported.

“The media has presented my statement differently. Allegations were not levelled. The Maharashtra government is doing good work. Work is being done under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and similarly under the leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis. That is what I said, but my complete statement was not shown,” Pawar said.

His clarification comes amid signs of strain between Ajit Pawar and the BJP, particularly after his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction joined hands with his estranged uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP for the Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls.

Earlier, Ajit Pawar had launched a sharp attack on the BJP’s governance record in Pimpri-Chinchwad, accusing the party of mismanagement and pushing the civic body into debt during its tenure. He alleged that the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) deposits fell from ?4,844 crore to around ?2,000 crore under BJP rule.

He further alleged rampant corruption, claiming that funds were withdrawn as loans without corresponding development on the ground. Pawar also criticised worsening traffic congestion and poor infrastructure, alleging that roads were narrowed and overall mobility in the city deteriorated during the BJP’s administration. He claimed that various mafia activities had taken root in Pimpri-Chinchwad under BJP rule.

Defending his party’s decision to field candidates with criminal backgrounds for the upcoming civic polls, Pawar cited allegations levelled against him in the past, including the ?70,000 crore irrigation scam case.

Responding to Union minister and BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol’s criticism, Pawar said, “Everybody knows that allegations of a ?70,000 crore irrigation scam were levelled against me. Today, I am in power alongside those who made those allegations. Can a person be labelled guilty even before it is proved?”

Pawar also blamed the BJP’s local leadership for delays in infrastructure projects in Pune. He alleged that despite having a clear majority in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the party failed to execute key civic works.

“The central and state governments gave sufficient funds to the Pune Municipal Corporation, but the local leadership failed to utilise them. Even after funds were allocated for land acquisition, they could not acquire even 50% of the required land,” he said.