Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday sought to clarify his recent comments regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that his remarks had been “misrepresented” by the media. Pawar emphasised that he had not levelled any allegations against the ruling alliance and that his statement was intended to highlight the effective functioning of the Maharashtra government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Speaking to ANI, Pawar stated, “The media has presented my statement differently. Allegations were not levelled. Maharashtra Govt 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. I made the statement on that basis.”

Context of the Remarks

Tensions appeared to have emerged between Pawar and the BJP following the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) collaboration with Sharad Pawar’s faction for the Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls. Earlier, Ajit Pawar had criticised the BJP’s governance record in the region, specifically targeting financial management and civic infrastructure in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

Pawar had claimed that during the BJP’s rule, the PCMC’s deposits had fallen from ₹4,844 crore to approximately ₹2,000 crore, alleging widespread mismanagement and corruption. He further highlighted issues related to traffic congestion and deteriorating infrastructure, suggesting that the city’s roads had been narrowed, worsening travel conditions for residents. Additionally, Pawar accused the local BJP leadership of enabling mafia activities in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Criticism of BJP’s Local Leadership

In his earlier remarks, Pawar had also pointed to delays in key infrastructure projects in Pune. He argued that despite the BJP holding a clear majority in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), essential civic works had been delayed due to the local leadership’s inefficiency.

“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,” Pawar said. He stressed that while the Centre and state had provided adequate funding, delays in execution at the local level had hampered developmental projects.

Defence of Candidate Selection

Ajit Pawar also defended his party’s controversial decision to give tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds for the upcoming civic elections. Responding to criticism from Union Minister and BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol, Pawar drew attention to the allegations he himself had faced in the past, including a ₹70,000-crore irrigation scam.

“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 remarked. By making this point, he sought to counter accusations that NCP candidates with criminal cases should be barred from contesting elections.

Balancing Criticism with Clarification

While Pawar had earlier criticised the BJP’s local governance and financial handling, his latest clarification stresses that these comments should not be interpreted as an attack on the broader state or central government. He reiterated that both the central and Maharashtra state governments were contributing effectively to the development of the state and that his intent was to highlight positive governance under the combined leadership of Modi and Fadnavis.

The clarification appears aimed at quelling any misperceptions that could escalate political tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling coalition, while also reaffirming Pawar’s stance on the NCP’s strategy in upcoming civic polls.

Implications for Maharashtra Politics

Ajit Pawar’s remarks and subsequent clarification highlight the delicate balance within coalition politics in Maharashtra, particularly when it comes to interactions with the BJP. The NCP’s collaboration with Sharad Pawar’s faction for the Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections has intensified scrutiny of the Deputy CM’s statements, illustrating the challenges of navigating intra-party dynamics and public perception.

By clarifying his remarks, Pawar has sought to reaffirm his support for the state government’s initiatives while distancing himself from any misreported criticisms of the ruling alliance, aiming to maintain cohesion within Maharashtra’s administrative and political framework.

In summary, while Pawar had previously raised concerns about the BJP’s local governance and project execution, he has now clarified that the Maharashtra government as a whole is “doing good work” and credited both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister for effective leadership in the state.