Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar launched a sharp critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday. The attack was centered around recent remarks that questioned the political legacy of the late former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, a stalwart from the Latur region.
Defending a Legacy: Pawar's Stinging Rebuke
Addressing a public meeting during the campaign for civic elections in Latur, Pawar did not directly name BJP's state president Ravindra Chavan but left little doubt about the target of his ire. Chavan had earlier this week stirred a controversy by allegedly stating that Deshmukh's name would be "wiped out" from Latur. Although Chavan later expressed regret following severe backlash, the comment ignited a political firestorm.
"Someone came to Latur and spoke about wiping out Vilasrao Deshmukh's identity. Does it cost money to speak respectfully?" Pawar asked the gathered crowd, drawing loud applause. He emphasized that politicians must show restraint and respect when referring to towering figures in Maharashtra's political history.
Pawar recounted his close association with Deshmukh, reminding the audience and the ruling party that Deshmukh had become Chief Minister due to the political magnanimity of NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar. He asserted that Deshmukh's significant contributions to the state could never be erased, placing him alongside other legendary leaders like Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil, and Sharad Pawar.
Civic Polls and Development Promises
Shifting focus to the upcoming municipal elections, Pawar framed them as crucial for setting Latur's development agenda for the next five years. He urged voters to look beyond party slogans and instead focus on performance, accountability, and the delivery of basic services.
Highlighting pressing civic issues, Pawar noted, "I often notice garbage piled up across the city during my visits to Latur," stressing the urgent need for daily cleaning. He also pointed out the neglect leading to several dried-up trees in the area.
Promising a transformation, Pawar said, "If you elect our candidates, we will make Latur like Pimpri Chinchwad," referring to the well-administered civic body. He pledged better sanitation, enhanced greenery, and improved civic amenities if his party secures control of the municipal corporation.
On funding for development, Pawar mentioned that several municipal projects had received substantial resources when NCP's Sanjay Bansode was a minister. He assured that the current minister, Babasaheb Patil, was also being provided adequate funds, advocating that municipal corporations in Marathwada should function on the efficient lines of those run by the NCP.
A Call for Resolve and Change
Invoking past electoral resilience, Pawar recalled how Janardan Waghmare had been elected as municipal chief earlier despite considerable influence wielded by the then Chief Minister. This, he said, demonstrated the resolve of Latur's people, a power they could exercise again.
"If you make up your mind, you know what you can achieve," he told voters, encouraging them to support candidates committed to addressing local problems.
Pawar concluded by underlining that urban governance directly impacts the quality of life, employment opportunities, and public health in growing cities like Latur, making the choice in the municipal polls all the more critical.
