Pune, Jan 12 (NationPress) The political climate in Pune has reached a pivotal moment as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the BJP's prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, find themselves in a heated exchange over the topic of "freebie" politics.

The dispute escalated following Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar's commitment to provide free PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited) bus and Metro services in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, as outlined in their collaborative manifesto, 'Ashtasutri Pragati (Eight-Point Progress)'.

In a calculated effort to attract voters, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar asserted that offering free public transport is financially feasible. He claimed that with the Municipal Corporation designating Rs 5 crore monthly for the Metro and Rs 20 crore for PMPML (approximately Rs 300 crore annually), free travel could be implemented within three years of the NCP assuming power. This declaration has seemingly unsettled the BJP leadership, who recently unveiled their own 'Sankalp Patra' (Vision Document) concentrating on a "Developed Pune". Interestingly, while the NCP and BJP are engaged in a cordial rivalry, the political discourse has turned quite intense.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has openly condemned Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's pledge of free bus and metro travel for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad residents, dismissing it as impractical and legally impossible. He remarked, “I was actually considering announcing today that all flights departing from Pune should be free for women. What does it take to make a declaration? It costs us nothing to make grand promises.”

He suggested that such commitments often arise from political insecurity, asserting that politicians may issue unrealistic manifestos out of "desperation" when they sense potential defeat. "Even then, we should only express things that are genuinely believable—things that are truly achievable," he added.

CM Fadnavis provided a comprehensive technical rationale as to why the Metro fare cannot be scrapped at the discretion of any state leader (Ajit Pawar). “The Metro operates as a joint venture between the state and the Central government. The Metro body's Chairman is a Union Secretary, while the Managing Director is appointed by the State. By law, a dedicated 'Fare Fixation Committee' possesses the legal authority to determine ticket prices,” he clarified.

He elaborated, "Even if I want to eliminate the ticket price tomorrow, I cannot do so. The committee decides costs based on operational expenses. If fares aren't charged to commuters, we must clarify where the funds for those expenses will originate."

While advocating for the interests of Pune's citizens, CM Fadnavis underscored that the local populace prioritizes quality over handouts. He observed that Punekars are disciplined taxpayers who have historically queued to pay their bills promptly. “Punekars don’t desire freebies. They seek services that are reliable and trustworthy,” he asserted. "They desire excellent Metro and bus services. They are willing to pay the minimum necessary cost for a superior experience. They recognize this promise as mere election theatrics that cannot be accomplished,” he noted.

Conversely, Minister Chandrakant Patil was swift to label Dy CM Ajit Pawar’s proposal as "misleading". He countered by disclosing internal governmental discord, alleging that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had previously delayed a proposal concerning free higher education for girls for six months due to a claimed lack of state funds.

Minister Patil further emphasized that any determination regarding free Metro or bus services lies exclusively with the cabinet and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, not with the Deputy Chief Minister. "This does not fall within his (Ajit Pawar's) jurisdiction to grant," he stated, striving to regain control of the narrative for the BJP.

The controversy surrounding "free travel" is the latest development in a two-week-long campaign initiated by Ajit Pawar against the BJP’s administration in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has persistently targeted Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, ridiculing the BJP's involvement in the Metro project by asserting that the groundwork was established during the previous Congress-NCP government. Previously, he referred to BJP leaders managing the Pune Municipal Corporation as a "trio of administrators (Karbhari Trikut)" and accused them of fiscal mismanagement.

The rising tensions compelled CM Fadnavis to step in after BJP State President Ravindra Chavan expressed "regret" regarding the alliance with Ajit Pawar, following the latter’s pointed comments about individuals who once accused him of Rs 70,000 crore in corruption.

Political analysts suggest that Ajit Pawar’s daily critiques and "subtle jabs" (like his frequent use of "Jai Jinendra" in reference to the Jain Boarding controversy) have kept the BJP on the defensive. By shifting focus to direct voter benefits such as free transport, the NCP aims to undermine the BJP’s influence in the approaching municipal and state elections.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)