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
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.
‘Pimpri Chinchwad is my karmabhoomi,’ says Pawar
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.
Allegations of tender rigging and intimidation in civic works
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 flags corruption in PM Awas Yojana and Smart City projects
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.
‘Municipal corporation pushed into debt,’ claims NCP chief
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.
Civic polls turn into corruption vs governance battle
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)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
