Ajit Pawar Defends Secular Stand, Flags Money Power as Key Concern Ahead of Civic Poll Results

Mumbai, Maharashtra – Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has made strong remarks on political ethics, alliances, and the growing influence of money power in elections, amid the high-stakes civic polls in Maharashtra. Responding to questions on corruption allegations and selective action against ministers, Pawar said decisions regarding appointments or removals of ministers are internal party matters and do not require external approval. Referring to past actions against leaders such as Kokate and Dhananjay Munde, Pawar pointed out what he described as inconsistency in action when similar allegations surface against leaders from other parties. He also addressed alliance dynamics, noting that the Pawar family has come together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, while in Mumbai, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have reunited after nearly 20 years, significantly altering the political landscape. On questions surrounding identity-based politics, Pawar firmly reiterated his secular credentials, stating that he was secular in the past, remains so today, and will continue to be in the future. Highlighting the changing nature of elections, he expressed concern over the increasing role of money, recalling that his first parliamentary election in 1991 cost just ₹3,500, compared to today’s expensive campaigns. Pawar emphasized that ultimately, voters will decide based on performance and development, with the results on 16 January set to reveal public sentiment.