Political clash between NCP Ajit Pawar faction and BJP ahead of Maharashtra municipal elections?
Amidst the municipal elections in Maharashtra, infighting has erupted within the Mahayuti alliance (NDA). Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, during a press conference in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Friday, said: "The same people who once accused me of a Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam are now in power with me. A person is not guilty merely because allegations are made against them, until the crime is proven in court."
Ajit Pawar was responding to a statement by BJP leader Muralidhar Mohol. Mohol had questioned why the NCP was giving tickets to candidates with criminal cases against them.
Angered by Ajit Pawar's sharp response, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said on Saturday: "If I start speaking, Ajit Pawar could be in trouble."
BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said that Ajit Pawar is questioning the BJP leadership under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that the politics of accusations and counter-accusations will not benefit anyone. If the BJP starts responding in the same manner, it could create major problems for Ajit Pawar.
This political clash comes at a time when the Pune Municipal Corporation elections are scheduled for January 15. Significantly, despite being allies in the state government, the BJP and NCP are contesting the municipal elections separately. Ajit Pawar's party is contesting alongside the Sharad Pawar faction.
Prakash Kumar Pandey