Ajit Pawar Defies Calls to Quit, Says ‘My Conscience Will Decide’ Amid ₹300-Crore Land Deal Row
Deputy CM faces land scam heat, vows self-judgment.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has boldly rebuffed calls for his resignation over a controversial Rs 300-crore government land deal involving a private firm linked to his son Parth, declaring that he will consult his own conscience before making any decision, as the scandal continues to fuel intense political backlash and public scrutiny in the run-up to crucial state developments.
The contentious transaction centered on a prime plot in Pune’s Mundhwa area, where allegations of procedural irregularities, undervaluation, and favoritism surfaced almost immediately after the deal was inked; facing mounting pressure from opposition parties and civil society, the Maharashtra government last week abruptly scrapped the agreement and instituted a high-level probe led by a senior IAS officer from the revenue department to unearth the full extent of any malpractice.
Social activist Anjali Damania, a vocal critic of corruption in high places, has spearheaded the demand for Pawar’s immediate resignation, labeling the episode a textbook case of crony capitalism; in a pointed media interaction in Pune on Wednesday, the NCP leader remained defiant yet introspective, stating, “I will use my conscience and take a decision,” while staunchly defending his son Parth’s innocence and insisting the younger Pawar was unaware the land belonged to the state exchequer.
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Shifting focus to national security amid the uproar, Ajit Pawar revealed that he joined Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Tuesday for an emergency security review following the deadly November 10 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort; the meeting placed Maharashtra on high alert, with directives issued to police commissioners and district authorities to intensify surveillance, fortify public spaces, and coordinate intelligence-sharing to preempt any spillover threats.
As the land scam inquiry gathers steam and opposition leaders vow to escalate protests, Pawar’s conscience-driven stance has only deepened the political divide—positioning the veteran leader at a crossroads where personal integrity, family loyalty, and public accountability collide, with the outcome likely to shape coalition dynamics and voter sentiment in the months ahead.
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