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The war of words underscores a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political dynamics as allies BJP and NCP contest the civic polls separately in key regions
Pawar detailed a litany of grievances, asserting that various ‘mafias’, including those involved in land and excavation, have flourished with impunity. File pic/PTI
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has launched a scathing attack on his coalition partner, the BJP. Speaking in Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar accused the BJP of presiding over rampant corruption and mismanagement during its tenure in the local civic body, while further implying that the party has become blinded by the “arrogance of power”.
The Allegations: Corruption and Financial Ruin
Addressing the media ahead of the high-stakes municipal elections scheduled for January 15, Pawar alleged that the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)—once considered one of the wealthiest in Asia—has been “pushed into debt” under BJP rule. He claimed that the civic body’s deposits had plummeted from over Rs 4,800 crore during the NCP’s earlier leadership to around Rs 2,000 crore under the BJP.
Pawar detailed a litany of grievances, asserting that various “mafias”, including those involved in land and excavation, have flourished with impunity. He also took a veiled swipe at the BJP’s local leadership over the city’s deteriorating infrastructure and traffic congestion, stating that the ruling party workers were intimidating independent candidates and pressuring rivals to withdraw.
The BJP’s Counter-Strike: A Call for Introspection
The BJP was swift to retaliate, with state president Ravindra Chavan issuing a stern warning to the NCP chief on Saturday. Chavan called on Pawar to “introspect” before levelling such accusations, questioning whether his remarks were directed at the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Chavan warned that if the BJP decided to reciprocate with its own allegations, it would create “serious difficulties” for Pawar. “He should first look within himself (Khud ke gireban mei jhank kar dekhna chahiye),” Chavan remarked, suggesting that Pawar’s history—specifically the long-standing allegations regarding a Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam—made him a vulnerable target for counter-allegations.
Context of the Coalition Friction
The war of words underscores a significant shift in the state’s political dynamics as the two allies contest the civic polls separately in key regions like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The friction has been further complicated by the recent tactical reunion of Ajit Pawar’s faction with his uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) for these specific local elections, a move that has left the BJP isolated on the local front.
As the Mahayuti alliance struggles to maintain a unified face ahead of the polls, the bitter exchange in Pune has provided fresh ammunition to the opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut was quick to capitalise on the discord, questioning why Ajit Pawar remains in the government if he believes his partners are corrupt and urging him to formally return to the original NCP fold.
January 03, 2026, 22:30 IST
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