Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has accepted that it was no one else but him on the call with a woman IPS officer, but his “intention was not to interfere with law enforcement”. The statement came after a video of the conversation went viral on social media wherein Ajit Pawar is heard threatening the official, who was taking action against illegal mining.
Taking to X, Ajit Pawar said, “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.”
सोलापूर जिल्ह्यातील पोलीस अधिकाऱ्यांसोबतच्या संवादाच्या संदर्भात काही व्हिडिओ समाजमाध्यमांवर प्रसारित होत आहेत. मी स्पष्टपणे सांगू इच्छितो की, माझा उद्देश कायद्याच्या अंमलबजावणीमध्ये हस्तक्षेप करण्याचा नव्हता, तर त्या ठिकाणी परिस्थिती शांत रहावी आणि ती अधिक बिघडू नये याची काळजी…
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) September 5, 2025
He said he has “the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage”, and that he values the rule of law above all.
“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 Dy CM said in the post.
What is the row?
A two-minute video showing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a heated phone conversation with a woman IPS officer has now gone viral, triggering a fresh row in the state.
The video was recorded in Solapur on August 31, where the police had reached Kurdu village to act against illegal excavation of ‘murrum’ soil for road construction.
Reacting to the video, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey said, “Ajit Pawar is speaking to a female IPS officer, Anjali Krishna, in language that is absolutely indecent. It is the responsibility of an IPS officer to stop illegal mining, which she was doing… This is such unfortunate behaviour… “
“You (Ajit Pawar) are the Deputy Chief Minister to promote people’s welfare, to stop illegal mining, to curb corruption; you are not on this post to threaten a female officer. We would like to ask Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Modi, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis what action you will take against Ajit Pawar. Does such behavior befit Maharashtra’s culture? An honest female IPS officer who is taking action against goons in Maharashtra—you should encourage her, help her —but instead, you are threatening her? This will not set a good example for the youth of Maharashtra,” he added.
Minister defends Ajit Pawar
Earlier, Maharahstra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule defended Pawar saying during a phone conversation, no one can say who is on the other side.
“…When you place a phone call like that, the one on the other side does not know of the matter. It has happened with me too sometimes. When you do not know the situation at hand, officer tells you that it is illegal but the other party says that it is legal. “
“Such issues rise out of this controversy. I think Ajit Pawar can never scold any officer over something illegal and wrong…” he said.
However, Ajit Pawar has admitted that it was him on the phone but added that his intention was not to interfere in the rule of the law.