Mumbai, Jan 5 (NationPress) Despite being coalition partners in Maharashtra, NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is embroiled in a heated exchange with the BJP concerning allegations of corruption. As the elections for the 29 municipal corporations approach on January 15, tensions within the Mahayuti alliance have escalated, showcasing overt friction.

In an unexpected move, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has openly criticized the BJP's previous administration. He recently claimed that the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which the BJP governed from 2017 to 2022, was “overrun with corruption” and pushed into significant debt.

Responding sharply, Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan suggested that Pawar should “introspect” before making accusations. Chavan cautioned that should the BJP initiate counter-allegations, it would lead to “serious complications” for Pawar, alluding to former investigations regarding the Deputy CM’s actions.

Revenue Minister and BJP's in-charge for municipal elections, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, echoed Chavan’s sentiments, offering a stern warning and “guidance” to Ajit Pawar. Bawankule emphasized three vital points: practicing restraint, upholding alliance agreements, and steering clear of personal attacks.

Bawankule reminded Ajit Pawar that as coalition members of the Mahayuti, a clear coordination agreement was established prior to the January 15 civic elections. He pointed out that, even when contesting local elections separately, all partners had committed to avoiding criticism of one another.

He explicitly stated that Ajit Pawar had “violated this agreement” by targeting the BJP's performance in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Bawankule publicly advised him to “exercise restraint moving forward.”

Further, he dismissed Ajit Pawar’s claims of corruption and indebtedness within the BJP-led municipal corporations, attributing the developmental setbacks in cities like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to historical mismanagement by the NCP.

He suggested that the governments of Devendra Fadnavis and Modi were instrumental in revitalizing these cities. Bawankule advised that if Ajit Pawar truly has concerns about corruption, he should “approach the investigative agencies” instead of making public political statements.

Bawankule indicated that the BJP has refrained from discussing Pawar's controversial past, including allegations related to the irrigation scam, for the sake of the alliance, but warned that continued attacks could compel the BJP to “start voicing” these issues, creating “serious problems” for Ajit Pawar.

The Deputy CM had previously urged the BJP to adhere to alliance principles. This ongoing friction represents the most significant public divide within the Mahayuti since Ajit Pawar's integration in 2023.

Bawankule’s remarks highlight the BJP's increasing irritation with Ajit Pawar’s attempt to navigate a “dual role”—serving as Deputy CM while simultaneously acting as an opposition leader on the municipal front.