Photo: Suriya Sule/ X

By Tejas

Pune, July 21, 2024: Pune witnessed heightened political drama yesterday during the District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) meeting, chaired by Guardian Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The meeting, intended to discuss fund allocation, turned contentious, drawing significant attention due to a verbal altercation involving Ajit Pawar, his supporters, and Baramati MP Supriya Sule. Senior leader and NCP chief Sharad Pawar and MP Amol Kolhe were also in attendance.

During the discussion on fund allocation, Supriya Sule accused the ruling government of favouring the Maval Lok Sabha constituency over the Shirur and Baramati constituencies. This sparked an objection from Maval MLA and NCP leader Sunil Shelke, leading to a minor verbal confrontation. Sule's criticism was aimed at what she perceived as an unfair distribution of resources, reflecting growing tensions between the ruling and opposition leaders in the state.

In this meeting, Sharad Pawar also raised concerns about polluted water issues in Baramati. Ajit Pawar responded by producing a Government Resolution (GR), asserting that invited MPs and MLAs were not permitted to speak at the meeting, stating that only official members and speakers had the right to voice their opinions. This move was seen by the opposition as an attempt to stifle opposition voices, prompting a strong reaction from Sule.

In a pointed rebuttal, Supriya Sule presented another GR that explicitly granted invited MPs and MLAs the right to speak and raise questions on behalf of the people, although it did not allow them to vote. This exchange highlighted the ongoing power struggle and differing interpretations of procedural rules between Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar.

Following the meeting, Supriya Sule addressed the media, emphasising the importance of elected representatives being able to question government actions and advocate for their constituents. "We are rightfully using our right to ask questions about fund distribution. However, this dictatorial government is trying to suppress our voice. We need to fight against this dictatorial tendency," Sule stated.

Later in the day, the political tensions continued at the Vijayi Sankalp Melawa in Pimpri Chinchwad, where Sharad Pawar, along with Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule, reiterated their criticisms of Ajit Pawar. At the Melawa, Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule rallied party activists, setting an ambitious target to elect at least 85 MLAs in the upcoming assembly elections, coinciding with Sharad Pawar’s 85th birthday. This goal was framed as a tribute to the veteran leader's legacy and an incentive for party members to intensify their efforts.

Sharad Pawar provided strategic guidance to the officials and party workers of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), emphasising the need for unity and concerted effort in the lead-up to the elections.