In a sharp political retort, Bhosari BJP MLA Mahesh Landge has called upon Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to engage in self-reflection, following Pawar's persistent allegations of corruption within the BJP-ruled Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Landge's Call for Introspection
The exchange escalated on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after Ajit Pawar, at a press conference last week and again at election rallies on Tuesday, launched a fierce attack on the BJP's administration in the industrial twin city. Pawar alleged widespread corruption in PCMC's functioning and specifically targeted Landge, accusing him of "terrorising" citizens.
Choosing not to directly counter the allegations, Landge instead turned the spotlight back on Pawar. "I don't think I should reply to his allegations," Landge stated. "But since he has been repeatedly making the allegations, I want to ask, 'look who is making the allegations about corruption?' Someone who is himself facing allegations related to corruption… Even his son is facing such allegations."
Landge pointedly referenced the Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam, allegations of which have long dogged Ajit Pawar and were vigorously pursued by the BJP in the past. "I want to request him (Ajit Pawar) to introspect. As a small 'karyakarta', I want to request him that he instead of making allegations should talk about development issues," the BJP legislator urged.
Shifting Focus to Development
Landge emphasised that the political discourse should centre on Pimpri-Chinchwad's future growth. He projected that the city's population would exceed one crore by 2041 and called for constructive planning discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. "Let us sit and talk about development issues…I want to talk about politics of development and not keep making allegations," he asserted.
Contrasting his approach with Pawar's, Landge claimed, "In the last 30 years, he has only made allegations. His politics has been based on allegations… On the contrary, I never made allegations of corruption. I never said he has done corruption of Rs 70,000 crore." He also highlighted the NCP's struggle to field candidates for the civic polls as a sign of its weakening grip.
A Litany of Development Claims and a Defence
The BJP MLA listed several achievements under his party's rule in PCMC post-2017, countering Pawar's charge of no development:
- Establishment of a dedicated Police Commissionerate for Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- Construction of a new court building, ending its operation from rented premises since 1987.
- Setting up a cancer hospital.
- Developing the Chikhli-Moshi-Charholi residential corridor.
- Extending basic amenities to villages that allegedly paid taxes but were neglected before 2017.
Landge also defended his style of politics against the "intimidating tactics" label given by Pawar. "Those who work against my religion, I will intimidate them, those who keep evil eye on sisters and daughters. I will spread terror among those who do wrong things," he stated, adding that his actions were in public interest and that people reject those who truly terrorise them.
This war of words underscores the intense political rivalry heating up in the Pune region as different parties position themselves ahead of crucial municipal elections, with corruption and development becoming the central battleground.
