Pawar Slams 'Vote Or Funds' Remark as Maharashtra Elections Heat Up
Pawar Slams 'Vote Or Funds' Remark as Maharashtra Elections Heat Up
Sharad Pawar condemns money-driven campaigning as Maharashtra gears up for local polls, highlighting tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance and shifting alliances.
Baramati is abuzz as Sharad Pawar bluntly warned that elections should not be decided by money, saying there is a visible race among the ruling alliance partners to distribute funds to voters. “The competition among the three alliance partners to distribute money. ‘I will give money. I will give funds.’ This is not good,” he told reporters, urging a return to development work over wallet-wielding promises. The remarks come as campaigning intensifies ahead of Maharashtra’s local body elections, with leaders across parties reminding voters that the ballot will be about local achievements as much as any monetary appeal.
In the wake of Pawar’s comments, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had previously stirred controversy with a campaigning line about funds, later defending his stance by saying voters will decide and that political leaders are free to express what they want to say. His remarks drew attention to how money promises feature in local campaigns, even as supporters argue that resources are part of political argument and governance.
NCP leader Sunil Tatkare countered by highlighting unity within the alliance, stating that all three partners of Mahayuti have worked for Maharashtra’s development. He argued that focusing on funds detracts from a record of public service and development projects, stressing that the voters will decide based on performance rather than promises alone.
The local elections loom large, with 246 municipal councils and 42 Nagar panchayats voting on December 2 and results due on December 3. In parallel, alliance dynamics continue to unfold at ground level, with Spartial ties such as the Kurduvadi constituency seeing the Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) allying with NCP(SP) as a possible signal for Maharashtra’s political future. Shinde framed the Kurduvadi tie-up as a broader trend, suggesting alliances could redefine the state’s political landscape, while BJP spokespeople cautioned that such combinations are local-level phenomena rather than state-wide strategies.
As campaigning enters its final stretch, voters are weighing whether to reward parties for development work or scrutinize the rhetoric around money. The coming days will reveal whether money-centric promises will sway decisions in a state known for its complex political alignments and vibrant democracy.
Cover image source: Maharashtra local body elections: Sharad Pawar raises concern about leaders alluring voters with money 🔗
