Ajit Pawar Dominates PCMC Campaign with Corruption Allegations
NCP national president Ajit Pawar generated intense political heat during the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation election campaign. The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister launched a sustained attack on BJP rule in the industrial city. His allegations put the BJP in a difficult position throughout the campaigning period.
Relentless Attack on BJP's Nine-Year Rule
Ajit Pawar began his campaign on January 2 with a press conference targeting the BJP. He maintained his aggressive stance until the final day of campaigning on January 13. The Deputy Chief Minister made multiple corruption allegations against the BJP's administration from 2017 to 2022.
Pawar claimed that open loot occurred in PCMC during the last nine years. He specifically targeted BJP's Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge with his accusations. Interestingly, he avoided criticizing BJP's Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap during his campaign speeches.
Specific Allegations and Financial Claims
The NCP leader presented detailed financial data to support his allegations. He stated that PCMC deposits had dramatically decreased from over Rs 4500 crore to just Rs 2000 crore. Pawar questioned why the deposits did not increase to Rs 9000 crore as expected during the nine-year period.
"Where has all the money gone?" Pawar repeatedly asked at his election rallies. He calculated that PCMC must have presented a budget of Rs 60,000 crore over nine years. After accounting for employee salaries, he demanded to know what happened to the remaining Rs 40,000 crore meant for development works.
Contractor Networks and Infrastructure Issues
Pawar alleged that contractors formed a "ring" to secure tenders in PCMC. These contractors then received preferential treatment as they were connected to local BJP leaders. The Deputy Chief Minister criticized the quality of infrastructure projects completed under BJP rule.
He gave the example of a pedestrian bridge in Bhosari. According to Pawar, the bridge's cost inflated from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 7 crore. He also complained about poorly constructed roads that developed potholes soon after completion.
Urban Planning and Public Services Criticism
The NCP leader attacked BJP's urban street planning in Pimpri-Chinchwad. He claimed footpaths became wider than roads under BJP rule. This poor planning led to increased encroachments and daily traffic jams throughout the city.
Pawar contrasted the current situation with NCP's previous administration. He stated that during NCP rule, residents could reach their homes without facing traffic congestion. Now, traffic jams have become a daily nightmare for citizens.
Water Supply and Financial Management Issues
Water supply problems received significant attention in Pawar's campaign. He said residents struggled to get daily water supplies, with water available only on alternate days. People had to wake up early to collect their water requirements.
The Deputy Chief Minister blamed BJP for not implementing the stalled Pavana pipeline project. This project could have increased water stock and provided cleaner water to Pimpri-Chinchwad. Pawar alleged that a tanker mafia operated freely in the city, with contracts given to BJP supporters.
BJP's Struggling Response
BJP leaders appeared unprepared to counter Pawar's aggressive campaign. State president Ravindra Chavan launched the party's campaign in Pimpri-Chinchwad. However, he delegated the responsibility of responding to Pawar to Mahesh Landge.
Chavan described Landge as "our Bhosari's wrestler" who would counter the allegations. Even Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered limited support during his Nigdi rally. He merely advised Landge to remain calm, suggesting that such allegations were normal during elections.
Landge's Defensive Stance
Mahesh Landge grew increasingly irritated by Pawar's continuous attacks. He initially made personal references to the Deputy Chief Minister that drew social media criticism. Landge later corrected his approach during his final press conference in Bhosari.
The BJP MLA defended his party's rule by highlighting development projects. He mentioned the new Pimpri-Chinchwad building, court building, new roads, and faster development in merged villages. Landge also pointed to additional water stock obtained from two more dams during BJP's tenure.
"The allegations are all baseless," Landge declared. He accused Pawar of making personal allegations without evidence. The BJP leader suggested that Pawar was trying to mislead people through political comments rather than acknowledging BJP's achievements.
Historical Context and Campaign Significance
Political observers noted that this election campaign marked a significant shift for Pimpri-Chinchwad. The industrial city traditionally received limited attention in Maharashtra politics. However, Ajit Pawar's aggressive campaign drew statewide attention to the municipal elections.
The verbal war between political parties continued until the campaign ended at 5:30 pm on Tuesday. Both sides exchanged allegations and counter-allegations throughout the electioneering period. This intense campaigning represented a first in Pimpri-Chinchwad's political history.
As voting approaches, the impact of Pawar's campaign strategy remains to be seen. The BJP's defensive response suggests the NCP leader successfully put his opponents under pressure. The election results will determine whether Pawar's allegations resonated with Pimpri-Chinchwad voters.
