A major political storm erupted in Maharashtra after a video surfaced showing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar speaking sternly to a woman IPS officer in Solapur. In the clip, Pawar is heard telling SDPO Anjana Krishna, who was cracking down on illegal excavation of ‘murrum’ in Kurdu village, that he would take action against her. The opposition quickly seized on the incident, accusing Pawar of intimidating a police officer and protecting party workers involved in unlawful mining. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said Pawar had “lost moral authority” by allegedly siding with “thieves” at the cost of state revenue.
Responding to the backlash, Pawar issued a clarification on social media, insisting that his intention was never to interfere with law enforcement. He said his words were misunderstood and that he was only trying to prevent the on-ground situation from spiraling into a confrontation. “I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, especially women who serve with courage. My objective was to ensure calm and prevent escalation, not to obstruct legal action,” Pawar explained. He also emphasized that his government remains committed to transparency and to taking strict measures against all forms of illegal activities, including sand and murrum mining.
Despite Pawar’s explanation, opposition parties have refused to back down, with many calling his conduct unacceptable for a leader holding both the deputy chief minister’s and finance minister’s portfolios. The controversy highlights the increasing political tension in Maharashtra, where issues of governance, law enforcement, and corruption remain at the forefront. Whether Pawar’s defense will quell the outrage or further inflame criticism remains to be seen as the debate intensifies across political lines.
