A major political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after a video of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar went viral, showing him sternly speaking to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Anjana Krishna during her crackdown on illegal excavation in Solapur. What began as a field-level confrontation has now snowballed into a larger debate involving political leaders, activists, and questions over the independence of law enforcement in the state.

The Viral Video That Sparked the Row

The controversy traces back to a video from Kurdu village in Solapur’s Karmala taluka, where DySP Anjana Krishna, a Kerala-born officer recently posted in Maharashtra, was supervising an operation against the illegal excavation of murrum—a soil-like substance widely used in road construction.

In the clip, Ajit Pawar, also the Finance Minister and President of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, can be heard questioning the officer’s actions. The video captures him allegedly saying:

• “Mai tere upar action lunga” (I will take action against you).

• “Tujhe mujhe dekhna hai na? Tera number de do ya WhatsApp call karo. Mera chehra toh aapko samajh mein aaega na?” (You want to see me, right? Give me your number or call me on WhatsApp. You’ll recognize my face, right?).

• “Itna aapko daring hua hai kya?” (How dare you?).

The exchange, which ended with Mr. Pawar allegedly asking her to stop the operation, was captured on video and quickly went viral, triggering accusations that the Deputy CM had threatened a police officer to protect vested interests.

NCP Leader’s Letter Questions Officer’s Credentials

The issue took another twist when Amol Mitkari, Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), wrote a letter to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). In his letter, Mitkari sought verification of DySP Krishna’s educational qualifications, caste certificate, and other service-related documents.

This move sparked outrage, with critics arguing that targeting an officer for doing her duty amounted to harassment. Many alleged the inquiry demand was politically motivated, particularly because Krishna had actively cracked down on illegal sand mining and other unlawful activities in the region.

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

Activists Rally Behind DySP Anjana Krishna

Prominent social activist Anjali Damania strongly condemned Mitkari’s letter and defended the officer’s integrity. In her sharp criticism, Damania asked:

• “Is this what we call uncle’s raj? What kind of nonsense is this?”

She further questioned whether Mitkari was acting independently or under instructions from Ajit Pawar. Damania alleged the real motive behind the attack on Krishna was her uncompromising action against illegal sand mining mafias.

Issuing a stern warning, she declared that activists would not remain silent and expressed her readiness to move court if such intimidation tactics persisted. In a scathing remark, she added:

• “These politicians are not even worthy of polishing an IPS officer’s shoes. Sadly, power today rests in their hands.”

Opposition Reacts: ‘Deeply Shameful’

The controversy has also ignited political reactions from the opposition. Congress leader Yashomati Thakur criticized Mitkari’s move, calling it “deeply shameful” for a party that often invokes the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

She raised questions about the timing of the attack on DySP Krishna, asking why her caste and educational credentials were suddenly being questioned now. Thakur accused the NCP leader of unfairly targeting a woman officer who was simply fulfilling her responsibilities.

Similarly, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut accused Ajit Pawar of shielding “thieves” in his party. He questioned Pawar’s discipline, saying:

• “You are threatening an IPS officer while protecting the thieves of your own party. Illegal excavation of murrum is nothing but defrauding the state’s treasury, and you are the Finance Minister. Yet you acted in this manner.”

Ajit Pawar Issues Clarification

Facing mounting criticism, Ajit Pawar broke his silence and issued a clarification on X (formerly Twitter). Denying that he intended to interfere with law enforcement, he wrote:

• “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 further emphasized:

• “I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage. I value 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.”

Adding context, NCP MP Sunil Tatkare defended Pawar, suggesting that he may have spoken harshly only to pacify party workers on the ground and not with the intention of halting police action.

Support from Rohit Pawar—But With a Warning

Interestingly, Ajit Pawar also received guarded support from his nephew Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the Sharad Pawar-led rival faction of the NCP.

Rohit Pawar acknowledged his uncle’s “straightforward manner of speaking,” which he said is often misunderstood as anger by those unfamiliar with him. He pointed out that Ajit Pawar’s blunt style has been well known in Maharashtra for decades.

However, Rohit also warned Ajit Pawar of possible internal sabotage, suggesting that his allies might be deliberately fanning the controversy:

• “It appears that an attempt is being made by friendly parties themselves to deliberately give a different spin to the conversation and target Ajit Dada. Even though we are in the opposition, my nature has always been to call a spade a spade. Ajit Dada should take note of how a trap is being set by his own friends.”

Rohit further urged political leaders to focus on pressing issues like farmers’ loan waivers and damages caused by unseasonal rains instead of fueling unnecessary controversies.

Bureaucracy vs. Political Power: The Larger Question

The Solapur controversy has once again underlined the fragile balance between political authority and bureaucratic independence in Maharashtra. While DySP Anjana Krishna has emerged as a symbol of integrity for her strict action against illegal mining, the political storm surrounding her highlights the pressures faced by officers when their actions clash with vested political and business interests.

As civil society, activists, and opposition leaders rally behind Krishna, the episode has intensified scrutiny on Ajit Pawar’s leadership style and the functioning of his faction of the NCP.

For now, the spotlight remains firmly on DySP Anjana Krishna—a young officer caught in the crossfire of Maharashtra’s high-stakes political battles, yet hailed as a defender of the rule of law.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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