Baramati (Maharashtra), Nov 27 (NationPress) The president of the Nationalist Congress Party, Sharad Pawar, on Thursday delivered a scathing critique of the MahaYuti leaders, dubbing their campaigning style in the current local body elections as “money-centric”. Pawar claimed that the ruling alliance's partners were soliciting votes based on financial promises rather than actual performance.

“Today, there’s an unhealthy competition over who can provide more money,” Pawar remarked, noting that informal “poll fronts or groups” had emerged throughout various districts. “Votes are being solicited based on money and funds -- this trend is concerning,” he added.

Pawar’s statements arose amidst a backdrop of controversies surrounding repeated mentions of development funds by high-ranking MahaYuti figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with BJP and Shinde Sena ministers, during their election campaigns. These leaders have been openly informing voters that development funds would be allocated only if their candidates are victorious.

This commentary followed Ajit Pawar’s recent declarations in Malegaon Nagar Panchayat, where he assured substantial funds for the town contingent upon the success of NCP candidates, cautioning that areas not backing the party would miss out on support. His “vote for funds” appeal faced significant backlash from opposition factions demanding an apology. Ajit Pawar later defended his remarks, asserting that he respected the Model Code of Conduct and acknowledged that blunders can occur in public life but maintained that he owed “no debt” to anyone despite longstanding allegations.

Ratcheting up the rhetoric, BJP Minister for Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil urged voters in Bhor to align their votes with the political reality, emphasizing that although Ajit Pawar serves as Deputy Chief Minister, “Devendra Fadnavis is the Chief Minister.”

Moreover, Shiv Sena's Minister for Water Supply, Gulabrao Patil, incited outrage at a Nashik rally by claiming that the Urban Development Department has “plenty of money” and that voters would witness “Lakshmi darshan the night before voting” -- a statement widely interpreted as a suggestion of cash inducements.

BJP Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule also faced criticism after advising party workers in Gadchiroli not to concern themselves with election-related expenses, although he later clarified that he was referencing arrangements at the local BJP office. On Ajit Pawar’s earlier comments, Bawankule stated that decisions regarding funds were made collectively by the three top leaders and finalized by the Chief Minister.

Sharad Pawar further highlighted the increasing factionalism within the MahaYuti during these local body elections, pointing out that factions within the same party were collaborating with one another in various regions. “This phenomenon is occurring for the first time. The message is clear -- there is no consensus in this election,” he noted, adding, “Voters will deliver the appropriate verdict in the Panchayat Samiti and other local body elections. We have never resorted to such tactics, and we won’t in the future. There are still a few days left -- let’s observe the outcomes.”

On the state government's initiative to postpone crop-loan recoveries for a year following severe rains and floods, Pawar deemed the action inadequate. While he welcomed the suspension as a “temporary relief”, he emphasized that farmers required financial compensation, interest waivers, and reduced repayment installments. “Farmers have suffered severe losses. The government should have provided some monetary aid. Only then would the relief be substantial,” he stated.