Amid IPS officer row, Ajit finds support & opposition from Sharad Pawar family

Terming the stand taken by the IPS officer as “appropriate” Rohit Pawar, in a social media post Wednesday, said, “I think the confusion happened because of Ajit Dada’s Hindi and his style of speaking which the entire state knows. Ajitdada has already expressed regret over it. However, despite this, a media trial is being conducted by some activists… Besides, the state leadership should act against those who are facing corruption charges.”

Rohit Pawar also alleged that the Mahayuti parties are indulging in one-upmanship.

“The Mahayuti parties are conducting a media trial of their own leader to settle political scores,” he claimed.

On the other hand, NCP (SP) working president Sule said that her party would take to the streets “if sincere committed government officers are unnecessarily troubled” in the state.

“One becomes an IPS officer after passing on merit. But unfortunately doubts are being raised over her credentials. She is educated and became an IPS officer after securing rank 335. She has become an officer on her ability and not by any other means,” Sule said in Pune Wednesday .

Ajit Pawar had drawn flak for “reprimanding” the IPS officer while taking action against alleged illegal mining last week.

In a video that went viral, Pawar calls on a local NCP worker’s phone to talk to Karnala Sub-Divisional Police Officer Anjana Krishna, while she is in Solapur’s Kurdu village to investigate a complaint of illegal excavation of ‘murrum’ soil that is used in road construction, on August 31.

In the video, he was heard saying, “Main tere upar action loonga (I will take action against you),”.

However, he later 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”.

“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 had said in a press statement.

Backing the IPS officer, Sule claimed that some goons had first beaten up a talathi objecting to illegal activities following which the police under Krishna swung into action

“The district collector of Solapur has stated that the talathi and police were correct in performing their duties. Thus, sincere officers are targeted by goons and allowing this to happen is against the Constitution. No one should support the illegal activities and if needed, we would take to the streets seeking justice for sincere government officers,” she said.

She also urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take legal action against those involved in the beating of talathi and ensure justice to the IPS officer. “The chief minister should give a detailed statement on the incident after conducting a transparent inquiry into it.”

NCP had demanded an investigation against IPS officer Krishna, while the opposition demanded Ajit Pawar’s resignation on moral grounds.

NCP spokesperson Amol Mitkari had sought a probe into the documents submitted by the IPS officer to the Union Public Service Commission. However, Sule termed NCP’s demand an insult of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Meanwhile, Yugendra Pawar, another Pawar family member and nephew of Ajit Pawar, criticised his uncle over the phone conversation.

“No one would approve of the kind of conversation that took place… After all, she is an IPS officer. She is a woman. You should think before you speak. Whatever has happened was wrong,” he said.