NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar sparked a political row after telling voters in Malegaon that while they “have votes,” he “has funds” and he will ensure that there was no shortage of it if his party’s candidates were elected.He further warned that if the voters did not back the NCP candidates, and “rejected” them, then he would also “reject” in return.“I will ensure there is no shortage of funds if you elect all 18 NCP candidates. If you elect all 18 candidates, I am committed to give whatever I have promised. But if you reject, I will also reject. You have votes, I have funds,” Pawar said while campaigning for the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat elections on Friday, urging voters to back all 18 candidates of his Nationalist Congress Party.Pawar, who handles the state’s finance portfolio in the BJP–NCP–Shiv Sena government, faced sharp criticism from the Opposition for his remark.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accused him of “threatening” and “intimidating” voters with his remarks.“Funds are given from the taxes paid by the common people and not from Ajit Pawar’s house. If a leader like Pawar is threatening voters, what is the Election Commission doing?” Danve asked.The Pawar-led NCP has tied up with a BJP-backed panel for the Malegaon elections, where civic polls are set to be held on December 2.
