A day after he drew flak for "reprimanding" an IPS officer for taking action against people indulging in illegal mining, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday clarified his intention was not to interfere with law enforcement "but to ensure that the situation on the ground" remained "calm and did not escalate further". At the same time, his party demanded an investigation against IPS officer Anjana Krishna, who had been "reprimanded" by Ajit Pawar, while the opposition demanded his resignation on moral grounds. "My attention has been drawn to certain videos circulating regarding my interaction with police officials in Solapur. Let me state clearly that 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 and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all. I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law," Ajit Pawar said in a press statement. The NCP chief's reaction came after he drew criticism from the Opposition over a video showing him reprimanding the IPS officer while she was attempting to stop illegal mining in Kurdu village of Solapur district earlier this week. Though Ajit Pawar in his press release said he has the "highest respect for police force and its officers", his party demanded an investigation against the officer. Party spokesperson Amol Mitkari sought a probe into the documents submitted by the IPS officer to the Union Public Service Commission. In a letter written to the UPSC on Friday, Mitkari sought verification of the IPS officer's educational qualifications, caste certificates and other related documents. Mitkari said the investigation was needed to ensure a proper scrutiny of official records. "If an IPS officer does not understand who the Deputy Chief Minister is then it raises doubts about her educational qualification. Is the appointment of Anjana Krishna like the fake appointment of Puja Khedekar?. Her behaviour is inappropriate. The documents submitted by her to UPSC should be verified again. An investigation should be done and she should be immediately suspended. There is a possibility of an irregularity in her appointment. What about the insult heaped by her on the state's Deputy Chief Minister?" he asked. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut demanded the resignation of the Deputy Chief Minister on moral grounds. "In the past when such an incident happened, a minister had to resign. Similarly, Ajit Pawar should resign on moral grounds." Raut alleged that Ajit Pawar was indulging in protecting thieves. "He is a so-called disciplined leader and minister. Now where has all that discipline disappeared? He is reprimanding her in a bid to ensure that he protects the thieves. Now it has become clear that some people were illegally excavating the soil and the IPS officer was trying to catch them, but Ajit Pawar is seen protecting the wrong-doing. When a minister, and that too a Deputy Chief Minister, is blatantly indulging in such an illegal act, he has no right to remain in the government. He should resign forthwith," he said. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said, "An IPS officer was honestly doing her duty but Ajit Pawar is caught trying to protect thieves. He was seen putting pressure on the officer which only reveals he does not believe in democracy." NCP's alliance partner BJP backed Ajit Pawar. BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawanluke said, "Ajit Pawar never calls up anyone to protect wrong-doers. He always follows the rules. Sometimes people who call do not provide full information about what exactly happened on the spot." His nephew and NCP(SP) leader Rohit Pawar also backed the Deputy Chief Minister. "Ajit Pawar has his own style of working. Even when he speaks in a natural way, some people think he is angry. Entire Maharashtra knows about Ajit Pawar's straightforward nature and his style of working. IPS officer Anjana Krishna is not wrong. But Ajit Pawar's phone call is being given a different twist. NCP's own alliance partners seem to be targeting Ajit Pawar. He should understand how his own alliance partners are creating problems for him."
