Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has moved to address growing speculation following a police visit to the offices of a political consultancy firm. Officers from the Pune Crime Branch visited DesignBoxed, a company handling digital campaigns for Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, earlier this week.
Routine Police Procedure, Not Enforcement Action
In a formal statement, Ajit Pawar clarified the nature of the police presence. He emphasized that this was part of a standard information-gathering process. The visit did not constitute an enforcement action. The firm extended its full cooperation to the authorities during the entire procedure.
Officials were granted access to all the information they sought. Pawar confirmed that the company's staff provided everything required. No objectionable material or irregularities were discovered in the course of this verification process.
Political Context and Firm's Role
The visit attracted significant attention within Maharashtra's political circles. This interest stems from DesignBoxed's crucial role. The firm manages the NCP's digital outreach and public messaging. Their work is especially important ahead of the upcoming local body elections scheduled for January 15.
DesignBoxed Innovations operates as a creative political digital campaign management company. It specializes in engagement-driven digital media campaigns. For the current civic polls, the company is handling the NCP's campaign efforts.
Senior Leaders Dismiss Sensational Reports
Praful Patel, a senior NCP leader and the party's working president, echoed Pawar's stance. He stated that reports surrounding consultant Naresh Arora are being unnecessarily sensationalised. Patel reiterated the clear facts in a post on social media platform X.
The facts are clear - authorities sought routine information, full cooperation was extended, and nothing objectionable was found.
Both Ajit Pawar and Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar have separately confirmed the police visit. The visit coincided with the final day of campaigning for the municipal corporation elections. The office is located in Pune's Vakdewadi-Shivajinagar area.
Police Commissioner's Account of the Visit
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar provided details about the police action. He stated that the department received information about alleged suspicious activity at a location. This location fell within the jurisdiction of the Pune Commissionerate.
Immediately, a verification team was dispatched to the spot. The team comprised one officer and two policemen. During their verification at the premises, they noticed nothing objectionable. Nothing adverse was found with the people working there either. The team then left the location promptly.
Firm's Managing Director Details the Interaction
DesignBoxed Managing Director Naresh Arora addressed the media at a press conference. He confirmed that crime branch personnel visited his company's office in the evening. Arora and other senior staff members were not present at the time. They were occupied at an NCP press conference.
Arora explained that the crime branch officials questioned his staff. They asked about the nature of work carried out in the office. Specifically, they sought details about work related to the NCP. The officials also demanded certain documents and phone numbers.
The staff responded and provided whatever information they could. However, for some requests, the junior staff informed the police they could not provide the information. They stated that senior staff authorization was required, and those individuals were not in the office.
NCP's Firm Stance and Appeal for Clarity
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar made the party's position unequivocal. He stated that the NCP stands firmly with Naresh Arora and DesignBoxed in this matter. The party respects the rule of law and believes in cooperating with all statutory and legal procedures.
In this specific case, complete cooperation has been extended to the concerned agencies. Pawar also appealed to the public and media. He urged against the spread of confusion, rumours, or what he termed unnecessary narratives over this development.
He asserted that any conclusions should be drawn strictly based on facts. The NCP is addressing this issue with restraint, responsibility, and clarity. Notably, the NCP is contesting against the BJP in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections. The party is an alliance partner in the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra.
