Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan warned that if the BJP began making counter-allegations, Ajit Pawar would face serious difficulties. Chavan advised the NCP leader to introspect before levelling accusations against the BJP
Targeting the BJP, Ajit Pawar said the lack of effective governance had derailed Pune’s development. File Pic/X
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Saturday accused the BJP’s local leadership of failing to deliver development in Pune and urged voters to support his party in the January 15 Maharashtra local body elections.
Addressing a press conference, Pawar said that despite the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) having sufficient financial resources, residents continued to face serious civic problems.
"Pune Municipal Corporation is among the largest civic bodies in the state, yet citizens have not received adequate amenities. Traffic problems remain unresolved even today,” Pawar said, adding that the NCP would make every effort to ensure development across the city, according to the PTI.
Citing the TomTom Traffic Index, Pawar said Pune ranks fourth globally for traffic congestion. "It takes nearly 33 minutes to travel just 10 kilometres in Pune. Congestion is visible across the city, and in some areas bridges and flyovers have even had to be demolished,” he said.
Dedicated traffic authority ‘failed to deliver’
Pawar claimed that while a dedicated authority had been set up to tackle traffic congestion, many planned measures were never implemented. "When I reviewed its functioning as guardian minister, I realised that most of the proposed solutions remained on paper,” he alleged.
Attack on BJP’s record in PMC
Targeting the BJP, Pawar said the lack of effective governance had derailed Pune’s development.
"The PMC has failed to provide even basic facilities to its citizens,” he claimed.
The BJP governed the PMC from 2017 to 2022, after which the civic body was placed under a government-appointed administrator.
Defence of tickets to kin of gangster
Pawar also defended his party’s decision to give election tickets to relatives of gangster Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar, who is currently in jail.
The Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded Sonali Andekar, Bandu Andekar’s daughter-in-law, and Laxmi Andekar, his sister-in-law, through its ally RPI (Sachin Kharat faction). Both are accused in the murder of Ayush Komkar, Bandu Andekar’s grandson, and are presently in judicial custody.
"Just because someone is a criminal, what is the fault of his wife or family? I have not given tickets to criminals,” Pawar said.
Allegations of irregularities in PCMC
At another press conference on Saturday, Pawar alleged financial irregularities in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
"This civic body was once known as the richest in Asia and even won awards as India’s best city when the NCP was in power. However, in recent years, deposits worth nearly Rs 8,000 crore have been depleted,” he claimed.
The BJP ruled PCMC between 2017 and 2022, and it has since been under an administrator.
BJP hits back
Pawar’s remarks drew a sharp response from the BJP. Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan warned that if the BJP began making counter-allegations, Pawar would face serious difficulties.
Chavan advised the NCP leader to introspect before levelling accusations against the BJP.
Although the NCP and BJP are partners in the ruling Mahayuti alliance, they are contesting the Pune civic polls separately.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including Pune, will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for the following day.
In Pune, 1,166 candidates are contesting across 41 wards, which together account for 165 seats.
(with PTI inputs)
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