A video clip of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar allegedly “threatening” a woman IPS officer has gone viral on the internet. After facing backlash, he reacted to the viral clip and stated that he has highest respect for police, including the women officers.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has landed in a controversy after a video of him reportedly “threatening” a woman IPS officer, who was enforcing regulations against illegal excavation in Solapur, has gone viral on the internet. He clarified that his intention was to prevent an escalation in the situation and emphasised that he did not mean to “interfere” with any law enforcement activities.
What Exactly Happened?
A video clip that has gone viral on the internet like wildfire, the Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP president, can be heard speaking to Solapur sub-divisional police officer Anjana Krishna, who was trying to stop illegal excavation of ‘murrum’ – used for road construction – in Solar’s Kurdu village.
Who is IPS Anjana Krishna and what conversation happened between her and Pawar?
Krishna hails from Kerala and was posted to Maharashtra recently. An NCP worker handed over a phone to the woman IPS officer and told her that Dy CM Pawar is on the line. Krishna didn’t recognise the voice of the Deputy CM and asked him to call her on her phone.
“I will act against you,” Pawar tells Ms Krishna, “You want to see me, right? Give me your number or call me on WhatsApp. You will recognise my face, right?),” Pawar can be heard telling the IPS officer.
“How dare you?” Pawar can be heard asking the officer, before video calling her and allegedly ordering her to stop the action.
How Did The Opposition Respond To The Viral Video?
The opposition leaders slammed Ajit Pawar, accusing him of threatening an on-duty police officer. They also hit out at the Deputy CM for protecting “thieves” in his party.
“You are threatening an IPS officer. He is heard saying that he will not tolerate indiscipline. Then what is this? That too, to protect the thieves of his own party. Mr Pawar, where is your sense of discipline? Illegal excavation of ‘murrum’ means defrauding the state’s treasury and you are the finance minister. Yet you did it,” Shiv Sena (Udhhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said.
How Did Pawar Respond To The Controversy?
As the matter escalated and the video went viral on the internet, Pawar issued a clarification on Friday. He took to X and wrote that he is committed to stop any illegal activity in the state.
“My attention has been drawn to certain videos circulating regarding my interaction with police officials in Solapur. Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further,” Pawar wrote on X.
“I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all. I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law,” the deputy chief minister added.
(Note: This is a developing story and further details will be added.)
