Daijiworld Media Network – Pune

Pune, Jan 9: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday voiced concern over what he described as a steady erosion of ideological commitment in Indian politics, alleging that most political parties have abandoned their core principles and are adopting various tactics to expand their ranks.

In an interview, Pawar said party-hopping has become rampant, with leaders being lured or pressured into switching sides. “Lately, political parties have almost abandoned their respective ideologies. Leaders are going anywhere and doing whatever they feel,” he said, alleging that inducements and pressure tactics, including references to pending inquiries, are being used to engineer defections.

Claiming that money and muscle power are now openly at play, Pawar said those with financial strength or influence are using it to gain political advantage, while others resort to caste-based appeals to secure votes. He added that candidates are increasingly judged not on their performance or delivery but on perceived electoral viability.

“A new trend has emerged where surveys are conducted to identify the most popular candidate in an area. If that person belongs to the opposition, efforts are made to poach them,” Pawar said, ahead of the upcoming civic polls.

Recalling the politics of Maharashtra’s first chief minister Yashwantrao Chavan, Pawar said leaders in the past respected the opposition and allocated funds without discrimination. “Over the years, vendetta politics has crept in. This should not happen,” he remarked.

Continuing his attack on the local BJP leadership in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar alleged that a lack of vision had pushed both civic bodies into crisis despite massive spending over the last eight to nine years. Though allies in the ruling Mahayuti coalition, the BJP and NCP are contesting the civic polls independently in the two cities.

Pawar claimed that Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation witnessed planned development between 1992 and 2017 when the NCP was in power, but alleged corruption and financial mismanagement during the BJP-led tenure from 2017 to 2022. He alleged irregularities in Smart City projects, cleanliness drives and waste management, claiming that while around Rs 60,000 crore was spent in recent years, much of the promised development is not visible on the ground.

He also raised concerns over poor road conditions, drinking water shortages and alleged irregularities in waste management staffing, claiming that more than half of the listed employees are not working on the ground. Pawar further alleged that “tanker mafias” are operating freely in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Targeting the BJP’s earlier tenure in the Pune Municipal Corporation, he alleged corruption in projects such as CCTV installation, claiming that nearly 70 per cent of cameras are non-functional.

Responding to criticism over attacking the BJP despite sharing power with it at the state and national levels, Pawar said civic elections are fought on local issues. “National and state elections are different. Civic polls are about local problems, and we are raising issues faced by citizens,” he said.

On the alliance between the NCP and NCP(SP) in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar said it was formed at the local level based on workers’ feedback and dismissed speculation about a merger of the two factions, saying such discussions exist only in the media.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, are scheduled for January 15, with counting to be held the following day.