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Ajit Pawar warned Malegaon voters funds would be released only if all NCP candidates win, sparking opposition criticism and calls for EC action ahead of Nagar Panchayat polls.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. (PTI/File)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stirred controversy on the campaign trail for the local elections, appearing to warn voters, saying that he would release funds he had promised only if all of his party’s candidates were elected.
While addressing a rally for the Nagar Panchayat elections at Malegaon in Baramati tehsil on Friday, Pawar, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said the party had fielded 18 candidates.
“The Centre and the state have many schemes. The Prime Minister, chief minister and both deputy chief ministers have worked on these together. If all of us work together and implement these schemes properly, we can ensure development for Malegaon,” Pawar said.
“I will ensure there is no shortage of funds if you elect all 18 NCP candidates. If you elect all of them, I will fulfil whatever I have promised. But if you ‘cut’ my candidates, I will also “cut” (the funds). You have the power to vote, and I have the power to release funds. Now decide what you want to do,” he said.
Hitting out at the deputy chief minister’s remarks, the opposition questioned why the Election Commission has yet to take any action.
“Funds are given from the taxes paid by the common people and not from Ajit Pawar’s house. If a leader like Pawar is threatening voters, what is the Election Commission doing?” Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasheb BT) leader Ambadas Danve was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Elections for Nagar Panchayats will be held on December 2.
However, this isn’t the first time Pawar has courted controversy with his remarks. In January, during a public meeting in his Baramati Assembly constituency, he was presented with memoranda outlining various demands.
Pawar had then said, “You have voted for me, but that doesn’t mean you own me.”
Maharashtra, India, India
November 23, 2025, 07:10 IST
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