Nephew of Deputy CM Makes Serious Corruption Allegations
In a shocking development that has rocked Maharashtra's political landscape, Yugendra Pawar, the nephew of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has made serious allegations of bribery and intimidation in the Baramati Municipal Council polls. The claims, made on Saturday, November 23, 2025, suggest a disturbing pattern of electoral malpractice in the high-stakes local elections.
The Bribery Allegations
Yugendra Pawar, who launched the NCP (S-P) election campaign in Baramati, revealed that four party councillors were offered Rs 20 lakh each to withdraw from the municipal council elections. This startling revelation came during his address to supporters and media personnel, where he expressed deep concern about the integrity of the electoral process.
"Eight councillors of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP have been elected unopposed in Baramati Municipal Council polls. Of these, four of our candidates were offered Rs 20 lakh and weaned away," alleged Yugendra Pawar. He emphasized that this information was widely discussed among local residents, indicating community awareness of the alleged corruption.
Impact on Working-Class Candidates
The NCP (S-P) functionary provided context about the vulnerable position of the affected candidates, explaining that they came from general backgrounds and working-class families. These candidates would struggle to earn Rs 10 lakh even after working for ten years, making the bribe offer particularly tempting and exploitative.
"Our candidates come from general background, they are from working class. Even if they work for next 10 years, they won't be able to earn Rs 10 lakh," Yugendra stated, highlighting the economic disparity that makes such bribery attempts effective. He expressed disappointment that despite trusting these candidates and providing them opportunities to serve their communities, they ultimately broke away under financial pressure.
Atmosphere of Fear and Intimidation
Adding to the seriousness of the bribery allegations, Yugendra Pawar drew parallels with the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, noting that the same atmosphere of fear was visible in Baramati. This suggests a concerning pattern of electoral malpractice that extends beyond local politics to national-level elections.
"Now we are witnessing the same situation in Lok Sabha elections," he remarked, indicating that the problems were systemic rather than isolated incidents. The reference to Lok Sabha elections adds weight to his claims, suggesting that the issues affecting Baramati's political environment are part of a larger, more troubling trend in Maharashtra politics.
The allegations have cast a shadow over the Baramati Municipal Council elections, raising important questions about electoral integrity and the use of financial power to influence democratic processes. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on Baramati, with citizens and political observers awaiting further developments in this controversial case.
