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

NCP chief Ajit Pawar made the statement during a campaign rally for elections to the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat in Baramati taluka.

4 min readPuneNov 24, 2025 05:00 AM IST

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

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday backed his deputy, Ajit Pawar, after a controversy erupted over his statement on Friday when he told a gathering to vote for his party or face rejection when it comes to allotment of funds for development works in their area.

NCP chief Ajit Pawar made the statement during a campaign rally for elections to the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat in Baramati taluka.

”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.”

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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.

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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.

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”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.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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