Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's Controversial Response to Flood-Hit Farmer Sparks Political Backlash

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ignited political controversy on Friday when footage of his sharp exchange with a farmer in the rain-affected Marathwada region became viral online.

The video captures the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president responding irritably to a young farmer's question about loan waivers, sarcastically suggesting to "give him the chief ministership." Pawar can also be heard asking if the farmer thinks the state government "is here to play marbles."

As the video circulated widely, opposition parties criticized Pawar for his "arrogance," prompting him to defend himself by accusing critics of "creating misunderstandings."

The confrontation occurred in Paranda taluka, Dharashiv district, during Pawar's inspection of flood-affected areas.

When questioned about implementing farmer loan waivers, Pawar retorted in Marathi, "give him the chief ministership," causing laughter among bystanders.

He further remarked, "All kinds of dramas can be played but money can't be played. Are we here to play marbles?"

Defending his reaction, the Deputy Chief Minister noted he had begun touring flood-affected regions at 6am. "You harass those who work... I understand the farmers' plight. Look at me now. I am working so hard. I still have a place to go. I understand that too. We help women and sisters so much today," he stated.

The Marathwada region, comprising eight districts in central Maharashtra, has suffered extensive damage from heavy rains and swollen rivers since September 20, with at least nine lives lost. Government reports indicate crops on more than 30,000 hectares were destroyed by flooding. Throughout the monsoon season, rain-related incidents have claimed 86 lives across Marathwada's districts.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) criticized Pawar, with leader Sanjay Raut commenting, "This is not Ajit Pawar's style, it's arrogance! What did these three (Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers) do? The Chief Minister says don't play politics. They should learn from Punjab. The central government didn't help them, but the state government did."

Pawar countered by claiming his comments were taken out of context: "A lot of people had gathered there. I was hearing a lot of questions. What I said before and after that is not being taken into account. I had a good tour and I understood everything. You only target those who work hard."

This incident follows recent criticism of Pawar for allegedly "threatening" a woman IPS officer who was addressing illegal excavation, though coalition members defended his "normal tone" of speaking.

In another viral video, Pawar was recorded speaking to Karmala sub-divisional police officer Anjana Krishna over a party worker's phone regarding illegal excavation of 'murrum' (material used in road construction) in Solapur. When she failed to recognize his voice, he allegedly threatened her with action.

The two-minute clip shows Pawar telling Krishna: "Suno, mai deputy chief minister bol raha hu aur aapko aadesh deta hu ki vo rokwao (Listen, I am the deputy chief minister and giving you the order to stop it)."

"Tujhe mujhe dekhna hai na. Tera number de do ya WhatsApp call karo. Mera chehra toh aapko samajh me aaega na (You want to see me, right? Give me your number or call me on WhatsApp. You will recognise my face, right?)," he added, before saying, "Itna aapko daring hua hai kya (how dare you)."

This earlier video also sparked controversy, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut declaring "Ajit Pawar has no moral right to remain in the government."

NCP leader Sunil Tatkare defended Pawar, explaining: "I don't think he threatened the officer... this is his normal tone and he talks like this only... The officer was doing her work, I do not blame her... In a democracy, people raise their grievances and accordingly, we see 'dada' (Mr Pawar) having a conversation with the officers."

The NCP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Shiv Sena currently form Maharashtra's ruling coalition.