Don’t lose cool, focus on work: Fadnavis after MLA Mahesh Landge targets Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

In the ongoing verbal war between Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge in the industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has finally stepped in, asking his party leader to taper down and not to lose his cool as the Opposition (Ajit Pawar-led NCP in the civic polls) was trying to divert public attention by creating controversy during election time.

Without naming Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis, who was speaking at an election rally at Akurdi in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Saturday, said, ”Maheshdada is looking a bit annoyed. He should remember that whenever elections are held, many people suddenly find their voice; they start saying all sorts of things. But we should remember our work speaks for itself. This frustration and irritation from the Opposition is because of the work we have done.” The opposition that Fadnavis referred to is the NCP, which has joined hands with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP to fight the BJP in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections. The NCP is otherwise an alliance partner of the BJP at the state level.

Seeking to calm down his agitated party MLA, Fadnavis said, ”Try to understand, Maheshdada. Don’t get angry just because they are angry. You just focus on showcasing your work. Those on the opposite side have no work to talk about. When they are asked questions, they have no answers. Their attempt is to divert the election discourse from development toward unnecessary controversies.”

Before Fadnavis addressed the crowd, Landge, who has suddenly taking potshots at NCP chief Ajit Pawar since the last two days, again targeted the Deputy Chief Minister, addressing him in a singular language. NCP leaders said the Chief Minister should have rebuked him as Ajit Pawar was holding a constitutional post and should be addressed in a respectful manner.

With all eyes on him, Landge was unsparing on Ajit Pawar as he said, ”One leader considers himself the ”baap” (father) of SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority)… he needs to be shown his place.”

Landge alleged that citizens under SRA projects are being threatened if they do not vote for a particular side. “A leader here is behaving as if he is the ‘father’ of SRA. He has the arrogance to dictate that people must take only the houses he provides…Those speaking against us are full of arrogance.”

Responding to this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “If someone is issuing threats in SRA as Mahesh Landge described, there is no reason to worry. This is a rule of law; rule of threats will not work here. If anyone threatens, our police are capable of showing them their place. I do not even need to intervene personally.”

At the end of his speech, Landge however toned down. ”In the last two days, I have responded to their criticism. But I want to ask one question, should only BJP leaders show respect to Mahayuti leaders ? Deva Bhau, you told us to work for their candidate in Shirur Lok Sabha constituency, we worked whole-heartedly…Their (NCP) candidate trailed in all the five assembly seats represented by their own MLAs, but only in Bhosari represented by BJP MLA, their candidate got more votes…These people are unnecessarily spreading false narrative. They are spreading rumours. A small party worker like me should not speak against them. I don’t think I have the stature to speak against them..But they have repeatedly indulged in mud-slinging. They have presented BJP in a poor light,” said Landge, adding that after January 15, BJP will have its mayor in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

While Ajit Pawar has been alleging that no development work worth its name was carried out during the BJP rule in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Fadnavis claimed that the quality of work done by the BJP during its tenure in PCMC was superior to the work done carried out by the NCP during its 25-year rule. He pointed out that under JNNURM, the construction of affordable housing was stalled for 15 years; the Opposition could only complete 6,700 out of 13,000 houses. However, since 2017 under BJP rule, 20,000 houses have been built in Pimpri, Borhadewadi, Charholi, and Dudulgaon. “The Opposition should check the quality of these houses for themselves,” said Fadnavis.

After addressing the Pawar-Landge tussle, Fadnavis turned his focus to the development works of Pimpri-Chinchwad. He said a fresh survey will be conducted across Maharashtra, including Pimpri Chinchwad, to redraw the blue and red flood lines. Based on “flood mitigation measures,” a new DCPR (Development Control and Promotion Regulations) will be formulated on the lines of the Kolhapur model, the CM said.

Fadnavis said the issue regarding blue and red flood lines arose due to the unified DCPR, where certain provisions created technical difficulties. ”New development in many areas adjacent to rivers has come to a standstill,” he said.

He said the current markings are based on 100-year-old assumptions and that citizens have raised numerous complaints regarding this.

“In Kolhapur, a new DCPR was implemented regarding the flood lines. This plan established new rules for the type of construction allowed in potential flood zones, which the public accepted and followed. Similarly, in Pimpri Chinchwad, we will use satellite imagery, geospatial data, and ‘flood mitigation systems’ to resolve the issue. In the future, changes will be made to the unified DCPR to permanently settle the flood line issue in the city,” he said.

Fadnavis added the 12.5 per cent land return issue, pending for 25–30 years, has been resolved. ”As demanded by late leader Laxman Jagtap and MLA Mahesh Landge, penalty tax was scrapped with retrospective effect. The ‘freehold’ issue for authority-affected lands was resolved by the BJP. In the coming days, Fadnavis said, the property card issue will be addressed on priority. “We are committed to providing better facilities. Metro expansion will be carried out on a large scale, and a third Metro line will be provided to the city. We are widening DP roads and easing traffic through elevated corridors, flyovers, and underpasses,” added Fadnavis.

BJP’s Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap, MLC Amit Gorkhe, Uma Khapre, City President Shatrughan Kate, former corporator Raju Durge, party candidates and others were also present at the event.