Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday clarified his stance after a viral video showed him sternly addressing a woman IPS officer in Solapur over action against illegal soil excavation. Pawar insisted that his intention was not to interfere with law enforcement, but to ensure that the situation remained calm and under control.
Clarification Issued
In a statement posted on X, Pawar said, “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, including women officers who serve with distinction and courage.” He further added that he remains committed to transparent governance and that illegal activities like sand mining will be dealt with strictly under law.
The Viral Video Incident
The controversy began after a video surfaced showing Pawar on a call with Anjana Krishna, SDPO of Karmala, through the phone of an NCP worker. In the clip, he appeared to rebuke the officer, telling her to stop action against illegal excavation of murrum soil used in road construction. When the officer did not initially recognize his voice, Pawar switched to a video call to identify himself.
Political Reactions
The incident triggered strong political backlash. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused Pawar of protecting “thieves” and claimed, “He is scolding her to provide protection to the thieves of his party… Ministers should be ashamed.” Raut also alleged that such illegal mining causes revenue losses to the state.
The NCP, however, defended Pawar, stating that the video had been selectively leaked and that his intervention was aimed at preventing tensions with local workers, not obstructing the police crackdown.
