07 January,2026 08:08 AM IST | Pimpri Chinchwad | mid-day online correspondent
Ajit Pawar. File Pic
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar has alleged large-scale corruption in civic works ahead of the upcoming civic polls. While Pawar did not name any party or leader, his attack comes weeks after the NCP announced it would contest the civic elections separately from its Mahayuti partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, reported news agency ANI.
Addressing the public gathering, Pawar highlighted his long association with the city and asserted that his political work has always been centred on the welfare of common people.
"While thinking continuously about the welfare of ordinary people, we have reached where we are today, and we must continue to work further for their well-being⦠Even though Baramati is my birthplace, Pimpri Chinchwad is my karmabhoomi," Pawar said, adding that he would never forget the city and would use his power only for public welfare, reported ANI.
The NCP chief further alleged irregularities in the tendering process and accused those in power of intimidation and financial mismanagement.
"These days, the tenders issued here are being rigged. There is dadagiri being done, which causes huge losses⦠I have all the details of how far down they have gone in corruption," Pawar said, citing alleged irregularities even in stray dog sterilisation projects, reported ANI.
Pawar also alleged corruption in major government schemes and urban development initiatives.
"There has been corruption even in projects like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Smart City initiative⦠TVs were to be installed at a cost of Rs 55,000, but bills were raised for Rs 1.5 lakh," he alleged, reported ANI.
Targeting the functioning of the municipal corporation, Pawar claimed corruption had weakened the civic body financially and tarnished its image.
"All this was done to loot the Municipal Corporation, push it into debt, and defame it," he said, referring to a 2021 bribery case involving a standing committee chairman, reported ANI.
The remarks come amid an intense civic election campaign in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, where corruption and governance have emerged as major political flashpoints.
Voting for the elections will be held on January 15, while results are scheduled to be announced on January 16.
(With inputs from ANI)
