In a dramatic turn of events, a public rally addressed by Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar in Miraj was interrupted by his own party supporters on Friday. The supporters were demanding action for a candidate with a criminal record, Azam Kazi, who was slapped with an externment order by police just a day earlier.
Police Crackdown and Allegations of Vendetta
On Thursday, the Sangli police issued externment orders against NCP candidate Azam Kazi and seven others. This action followed a case where they were accused of ransacking a hotel. The police booked them on serious charges, including attempt to murder, and recommended to Sangli Superintendent of Police Sandip Ghuge that they be externed from both Sangli and Kolhapur districts for a full year.
Local NCP leaders were quick to label the police action as political vendetta and a blatant misuse of power. They connected the timing of the order directly to remarks made by BJP's guardian minister for the region, Chandrakant Patil. Patil had reportedly asked Ajit Pawar to stop targeting the BJP. The leaders argued that the externment order, coming just a day before Pawar's major rally in Miraj, was politically motivated to disrupt their campaign.
Rally Interrupted by Supporters' Demands
The political tension spilled onto the streets during Ajit Pawar's rally. Hundreds of supporters, carrying placards and wearing face masks of Azam Kazi, arrived midway through Pawar's speech. When the Deputy CM began listing his plans for the Sangli Miraj Kupwad Municipal Corporation, the crowd loudly called on him to address the police action against their candidate.
The situation led to a moment of confusion for Ajit Pawar, who initially mistook Azam Kazi for Azam Pansare from Pune. After correcting himself, Pawar stated that Kazi was also a Muslim and emphasized that his party was doing significant work for the Muslim community. Despite the supporters' fervent requests for him to meet with Kazi, Ajit Pawar departed the venue immediately after concluding his speech.
Electoral Context and Fallout
This incident has cast a spotlight on the high-stakes civic elections in the region. The NCP has fielded a total of 33 candidates for the Sangli Miraj Kupwad Municipal Corporation polls. The controversy surrounding Azam Kazi, a candidate with a criminal record, and the perceived targeting by police has become a central issue. It highlights the ongoing political tussle between the ruling alliance factions in Maharashtra and sets a charged atmosphere for the upcoming electoral battle. The party's ability to manage internal dissent and counter allegations of vendetta will be closely watched.
