Ajit Pawar hits out at BJP: ‘It fears losing control over PMC’

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar addresses a press conference on the last day of campaigning for the civic elections, in Pune. (Source: PTI)

Taking on the BJP, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for criticising and doubting the promise of free travel in metro and public transport bus made by NCP-NCP (SP) alliance in its manifesto, NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said they are not concerned over the economic situation but fear losing political control over the civic body.

“Our rivals are misleading the voters on the promises made by us in the manifesto by saying it is impossible and irresponsible. I could have ignored them but it’s my responsibility to respond to their wrong statements. It’s not a favour to voters or merely an election promise. It’s the right of citizens of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad to benefit from taxpayers money,” he said, adding that the promise was not made in haste but after discussiions with people, surveys, understanding their problems and in consultation with experts.

“Those raising doubts over the promise should recall who is Ajit Pawar, with the vast experience of handling state finance ministry. They are not worried about its economics but fear losing political control in Pune,” said Pawar.

The deputy chief minister said that it was good for the chief minister to raise doubts over the NCP promise as it clears that those holding reins of PMC for previous nine years have not left anything in the treasury of the civic body. Pawar said fewer people travel in Pune metro except during Ganesh festival etc, when people want to avoid getting stuck in traffic for hours. “It is necessary to take daring and strong decisions to resolve the traffic and public transport situation in the city. It is for that reason we took the decision of promising free travel in Pune metro and public bus transport which will increase response to public transport leading to reduction of traffic, air pollution on city roads,” he said, adding this would save a lot of money of people spent on commuting.

On the bitter campaign within NDA partners for the civic polls, Pawar said the CM has already said the alliance at state and national level will remain intact and will be back to normal after the civic polls. “There is nothing like a friendly fight in elections. Those in the fray are each other’s rivals as they are contesting against each other,” he said, on the statement of the CM that the NCP and BJP are in alliance in the state and are having friendly fights in civic polls.