Candidates terrorised to withdraw from fray, money offered: Ajit Pawar

The Deputy Chief Minister has been urging voters to change the rulers and bring in NCP.

EVEN as the State Election Commission has sought reports from municipal commissioners in Maharashtra regarding unopposed elections after opposition parties raised objections, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has pointed out that candidates were threatened to withdraw from the poll fray.

“The local leaders here have amassed a huge amount of wealth. They believe that they can purchase anyone. They terrorise candidates to withdraw forms… Even financial help is offered… And after taking financial help, if they don’t withdraw their forms, they are told that they won’t be able to carry out their future work,” the Deputy Chief Minister said during a podcast interview with Pimpri-Chinchwad Bulletin released on Monday.

Though he did not directly name BJP’s Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge, Ajit Pawar has been targeting him and his party since the election campaign kicked off. Pawar has repeatedly alleged that there was massive corruption during the five year rule of BJP in PCMC and subsequently for three years.

The PCMC elections has seen two unopposed elections. One of Ravi Landge and another Supriya Chandgude, both from BJP. While the BJP has celebrated their victories, Ajit Pawar had been alleging that an atmosphere of fear pervades among candidates but during the podcast, it was the first time that he said candidates were forced to withdraw from the poll fray.

Pawar reiterated that during the NCP’s rule in PCMC, he had made efforts to change the face of Pimpri-Chinchwad. “We implemented several development projects. We also got the Best City award from the central government. We got people’s support as well… I kept correct control over the functioning of PCMC and made efforts to change the face of the city. Unfortunately, the momentum of good work was not kept. As a result, Pimpri-Chinchwad is on a downward slide.”