Ajit Pawar
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar, known for his different style of working and straight talk, landed in a controversy after a few-day-old video surfaced in which he is heard rebuking a lady police officer, Anjana Krishna, posted in the Solapur district.
“…itna aapko daring hua hai kya…,” the 66-year-old politician, a one-time Baramati MP and eight-time Baramati MLA, was heard saying to the officer.
Popularly known as Ajit Dada, he is known as a tough taskmaster.
The incident took place outside Kurdu village in Madha tehsil of Solapur district.
Anjana Krishna had gone to act on complaints of illegal excavation of 'murrum' (soil used in road construction).
However, the villagers clashed with the police party, after which the NCP unit came into the picture.
One of the party workers, Baba Jagtap, dialed Pawar and handed over the phone to the police officer.
“I am unable to figure out if I am talking to the Deputy Chief Minister. Can you please call me on my number directly?” the officer said over the phone.
This rattled Pawar, who responded: "Just a minute… I will take action against you… I am myself talking to you, and you are asking me to call you directly. You want to see me… take my number and make a WhatsApp call… itna aapko daring hua hai kya (How dare you?)," said Pawar.
The video of the incident has gone viral on social media platforms.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the State Home Minister, has not reacted to the issue.
Pawar, in a brief statement, said: "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. 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".
He said that he remains firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand extraction, is dealt with strictly as per the law.
Meanwhile, NCP (SP) working president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule said that members of the ruling dispensation attacking the credentials of Krishna is a grave assault on our Constitution.
"When elected officials orchestrate character assassination, it undermines Rule of Law, Article 14 & 311. Such systematic targeting of a woman officer violates constitutional guarantees of gender equality also. All members of the Executive must be protected from political intimidation to uphold the 'Idea of India' our Constitution enshrines", she said targetting her cousin Ajit Pawar.