You have votes, I have funds; if you reject, I will also reject: Ajit Pawar tells electors

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has told voters astatine Malegaon successful the territory that helium would guarantee determination is nary shortage of funds for the municipality if they elected the candidates of his party, but if they rejected them, helium volition besides “reject”.

Mr. Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party, was campaigning for elections to the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat successful Baramati tehsil connected Friday (November 21, 2025).

Notably, helium holds the concern portfolio successful the BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena government.

“I volition guarantee determination is nary shortage of funds if you elite each 18 NCP candidates. If you elite each 18 candidates, I americium committed to springiness immoderate I person promised. But if you reject, I volition besides reject. You person votes, I person funds,” helium said.

The remarks drew flak from the Opposition, with Shiv Sena (UBT) person Ambadas Danve accusing Mr. Pawar of threatening voters.

“Funds are fixed from the taxes paid by the communal radical and not from Ajit Pawar’s house. If a person similar Mr. Pawar is threatening voters, what is the Election Commission doing?” helium asked.

Elections to Nagar Panchayats are scheduled for December 2. The Mr. Pawar-led NCP and a BJP-backed sheet person formed an confederation successful Malegaon.