Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) administration of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), alleging financial mismanagement, rampant corruption, and a complete lack of vision that has left the civic body drowning in debt. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national president made these allegations during a press conference in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Friday.
Financial Downfall: From Rs 4,400 Cr Deposits to Massive Debt
Ajit Pawar claimed that during the NCP's tenure, the PCMC had robust deposits exceeding Rs 4,400 crore. He asserted that over the last nine years—covering the BJP's rule from 2017 to 2022 and the subsequent administrator period—these reserves have been squandered. "PCMC's deposits have come down drastically. Besides, PCMC now is massively debt-ridden," Pawar stated.
He presented a stark comparison, suggesting that deposits should have ideally grown to around Rs 10,000 crore by now. Instead, they have plummeted to a worrying low of approximately Rs 2,000 crore. "This means Rs 8,000 crore worth of deposits have been unlocked. If so much money has been used, it should reflect in development. Where is the development?" he questioned. The Deputy CM also criticised the civic body's reliance on floating bonds, which he said have seriously impacted its financial health.
Allegations of Corruption and Inflated Tenders
Pawar accused the previous administration of unchecked corruption and financial irregularities. He highlighted that various civic departments overspent their budgets on unnecessary works. For instance, the civil works department allegedly spent a staggering Rs 2,700 crore more than its allocated budget.
The NCP leader further alleged a "tender ring" operated by contractors to corner civic contracts. "They form a 'ring' to claim tenders jointly. The tender amount is inflated… Whiteners have been used to make secret changes in tender documents," he charged. Pawar cited an example where Rs 81 crore was sanctioned for just a 1.5-kilometre road, a cost he claimed is excessively high for Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Failed Projects and Civic Mismanagement
Pawar listed several projects that he claimed resulted in significant losses for the public exchequer without delivering results. He pointed to the e-cycles and smart parking app initiatives, where "crores of rupees were lost." He also questioned the PCMC's e-classroom project, which allegedly failed to provide internet connectivity, forcing students to use private networks.
In a striking allegation, Pawar said that during the COVID-19 lockdown, records showed thousands of stray dogs were sterilised at a cost of Rs 71 lakh, implying possible fraud in the documentation.
Infrastructure in Shambles: Traffic, Roads, and Encroachments
The Deputy CM painted a grim picture of Pimpri-Chinchwad's infrastructure under the previous rule. He stated that roads are riddled with potholes, and chronic traffic jams have become routine. He blamed the so-called "road digging mafia," alleging that telecom companies dig up roads illegally without permission, destroying the network.
Pawar specifically criticised urban street design projects, claiming they have destroyed roads. "Footpaths have widened and roads have become narrow. There are encroachments on footpaths everywhere. There is no space for parking," he said, adding that vehicles are parked haphazardly, even under Metro stations. He blamed the lack of a implemented parking policy for the chaos.
He nostalgically recalled that during the NCP's tenure, a commute from Nigdi to Dapodi took 10 minutes, a feat impossible now due to severe traffic congestion.
Political Digs and Electoral Context
Pawar did not spare the BJP's record on governance, mentioning that a standing committee chairman was arrested for taking a bribe during their rule—an event he claimed was unprecedented in PCMC's history. "During our tenure, we never saw the kind of corruption and loot that we saw from 2017," he asserted.
He contrasted the recent unopposed election of two BJP candidates—Ravi Landge and Supriya Chandgude—with past instances, suggesting that current wins stem from an atmosphere of "terror" that deters opponents from filing nominations, unlike the democratic norms followed earlier.
Concluding with a promise, Ajit Pawar said, "If people bring us back to power, we will restore the former glory of PCMC." He framed the upcoming civic polls as a battle to "slay the demon of corruption" allegedly unleashed during the BJP's tenure.
