The row over Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s phone call to IPS officer Anjana Krishna intensified after his party MLC shot a letter to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) seeking the verification of documents like those submitted for caste proof. In his letter, NCP MLC Amol Mitkari argued that if the officer couldn’t identify the Deputy CM, there is something wrong with her credentials. 

This came hours after the Deputy CM took to X and said his intention was not to interfere in the work of the law but to ensure that the situation does not escalate. 

After backlash, the MLC posted an apology on X and said, “I retract the tweet I made regarding the Solapur incident without any meaning and express my apology. This was not my party’s position but my personal position. I have the highest respect for our police force and the officers who serve honestly. I completely agree with the position of the party’s senior leadership.”

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Oppn blasts Ajit Pawar

The opposition has been training guns at the Deputy CM over his rebuking of the IPS officer. During the phone call, Pawar was heard telling the officer that he would take action against her if she didn’t stop. The IPS officer held her calm and asked how she would know it was the deputy CM and not someone else. 

Hours after criticism, Ajit Pawar posted an explanation on X. Taking jibe at his post, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed surprise and asked if the Deputy CM was aware who drafted his post. 

“So Ajit Pawar ji in his X post regarding the viral video of threatening a lady officer says, “I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers, and I value the rule of law above all” And at the same time His party MLC, Amol Mitkari, has written to UPSC to enquire into educational and caste documents submitted by the lady IPS Officer, Anjana Krishna,” she said.

“Who drafted Ajit Pawar ji’s X post, is he even aware what his handle has posted and what his MLC is doing?” Earlier on Friday, Ajit Pawar had refuted all the claims and expressed respect for the police force and women officers, valuing the rule of law and promising strict action against illegal activities,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP added. 

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What did Ajit Pawar say?

In a post on X on Friday, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that he has the utmost respect for the police force and women officers, emphasising his commitment to the rule of law.

“My attention has been drawn to certain videos circulating regarding my interaction with police officials in Solapur. Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further,” he said.

“I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all,” he added. 

Pawar went on to say that strict action would be taken against illegal sand mining. “I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law.”

The said incident took place on August 21 when IPS officer Anjana Krishna had gone to investigate complaints of illegal soil excavation for road construction. A clash broke out between police and villagers there, after which the Nationalist Congress Party workers intervened. 

One of NCP workers, Baba Jagtap, handed his phone to the woman IPS officer during the confrontation, connecting her to Pawar.

In the viral video, the IPS officer is heard telling Pawar, “Sir, can you do one thing and call me on my number directly?” To this, Pawar responds, “Just one minute, I will take action against you. I am talking to you, and you are asking me to call you directly. You want to see me? You can take my number and WhatsApp call me. Itna aapko daring hua hai kya? (Are you that daring?)”