Ajit Pawar Denies Allegations of Insulting Sharad Pawar, Calls Him a 'God'

Political Tensions Rise in Maharashtra as Ajit Pawar Refutes Supriya Sule's Claims

Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has firmly denied accusations made by his cousin, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, of disrespecting their political patriarch, Sharad Pawar. Sule had claimed that Ajit Pawar objected to Sharad Pawar's queries regarding the distribution of development funds during a Pune District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) meeting.

Ajit Pawar's Clarification

Addressing the media, Ajit Pawar expressed his deep respect for Sharad Pawar, stating, "Sharad Pawar is my god and I have always respected him." He explained that his comments at the DPDC meeting were intended to clarify procedural rules rather than to silence or insult any member. Ajit Pawar emphasized that he merely explained that MPs and MLAs, while invited to the DPDC meetings, do not have the right to participate in discussions as per the governing regulations.

The Controversy Unfolds

The controversy emerged from the DPDC meeting held in Pune, where Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Pawar sought details about the allocation of development funds in the Pune district. Ajit Pawar cited the government resolution (GR) to explain that while MPs and MLAs are invited, they do not have participatory rights in the discussion. This clarification was perceived by Supriya Sule as an attempt to stifle Sharad Pawar's input.

Ajit Pawar's Defense

Ajit Pawar further defended his actions by stating, "I have served as the guardian minister of Pune for 13-14 years and have always allowed everyone to speak in these meetings." He refuted Sule's allegations, asserting that her claims of arrogance and exclusion were baseless. Ajit Pawar pointed out that 17 MLAs and 7 to 8 MPs attended the DPDC meeting, which lasted over two and a half hours, and all were given the opportunity to speak.

Supriya Sule's Rebuttal

In response, Supriya Sule told reporters in Karad that her father's question regarding tehsil-wise distribution of funds was intended to address public concerns. She alleged that Ajit Pawar had shown the GR to everyone, emphasizing that only the guardian minister and administrative officials are permitted to speak in such meetings. Sule contended that Ajit Pawar's actions effectively silenced Sharad Pawar's legitimate queries.

Rising Political Tensions

The public exchange between the two Pawar family members has highlighted underlying tensions within Maharashtra's political landscape. As both sides stand firm on their positions, the incident underscores the complex dynamics and the potential for further discord within the state's political framework.