Congress Demands Probe into Alleged Coercion of Ajit Pawar by BJP
New Delhi: The Congress party has called for an investigation into claims of “blackmail” and “coercion” linked to NCP leader Ajit Pawar’s recent alignment with the NDA. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh cited remarks from Ajit Pawar to assert that the situation involves serious breaches of confidentiality and the Official Secrets Act.
Ramesh highlighted that the BJP’s tactics, which he referred to as a “washing machine,” seem particularly potent in Maharashtra. He recalled how the BJP, prior to 2014, accused Ajit Pawar of massive corruption amounting to Rs 70,000 crore during his tenure as the state’s irrigation minister.
According to Ramesh, Ajit Pawar has acknowledged that coercive tactics were employed to facilitate his shift to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously labeled the NCP as a “Naturally Corrupt Party,” raising questions about the integrity of the BJP’s current alliance with Pawar.
Ramesh claimed that after becoming chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis presented Pawar with a file suggesting an inquiry into the alleged irrigation scam, implying a threat: comply with the BJP’s demands or face potential legal repercussions.
Ajit Pawar’s break from the NCP, led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, to join the Shiv Sena-BJP government has been controversial, and Ramesh insists that the situation merits serious scrutiny. He pointed out that Pawar’s recent comments about feeling “backstabbed” by former home minister RR Patil, who had ordered the inquiry against him, further complicate the narrative.
As this political drama unfolds, Congress maintains that an independent investigation is essential to address the allegations of coercion and uphold accountability within Maharashtra’s political landscape.
