‘Not their intention’: Devendra Fadnavis downplays Ajit Pawar’s ‘no votes, no funds’ remark

”The council needs more funds for development purpose. I had given funds to Baramati which led to its development. If you elect our candidates, I will give you whatever I have promised. But if you reject our candidates, I will also reject..You have votes, I have funds,” Pawar, who holds the Finance portfolio, had said.

Downplaying the Deputy CM’s remarks, Fadnavis said in Nagpur, ”Many a times, a lot of things are said during a speech, but it never means the same.”

Without naming Ajit Pawar, the CM added said, “Even if our ally or someone has said like that, I don’t think it was their intention…they would never indulge in such discrimination.”

Fadnavis said his government was determined to ensure the development all the regions in the state.

Sounding confident about Mahayuti’s victory in the local body polls, the Chief Minister said,”The allies might be fighting separately in some places, but the people will elect us.”

After the Opposition targeted the Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar defended his remarks saying such statements are made during election time even by the Opposition parties.

”During the recent Bihar election, Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD said that if they are elected, they will provide more development funds…The Opposition told people that they will provide jobs if their government is elected. During elections, people make such statements but such things are said only during election time,” he told mediapersons in Pune Sunday.

Meanwhile, Baramati MP Supriya Sule said that it was moral responsibility of the Election Commission to monitor such statements.

“But we can’t see such thing happening nowadays,” she said.

Stating that there was dissatisfaction in the society about the functioning of the Election Commission, Sule said, ”We should have faith and trust in the Election Commission but unfortunately, in the last few years dissatisfaction is visible about the EC in the society and in the media.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve also urged EC to step in, accusing Pawar of threatening voters.

“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?,” he said.

NCP (SP), in a press release, said Ajit Pawar’s remarks are an ”explicit threat” to voters and an attempt to misuse public funds for political gains.

”Ajit Pawar’s remarks made before the voters are threatening and intimidating. Forcing the voters to vote for your party is a direct attack on democracy and puts a question mark on the so-called free and fair election,” said Mahesh Tapase, NCP (SP) spokesperson in a press release.

Gopal Tiwari, spokesperson of Maharashtra Congress, asked why the EC has not taken any action yet.

“Even two days after Ajit Pawar made the remarks, why is the Election Commission of India silent ? Why is it emaining a mute spectator while harping on ensuring free and fair election. The EC should have taken suo moto action and a sought an explaination. It is not actually suprising because it seems to be all a gameplan of the BJP which stoops low to win elections,” he alleged.