Ajit Pawar Alleges Former Home Minister R.R. Patil Signed File on Irrigation Scam Inquiry Against Him

Pune:

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who has long been embroiled in the alleged Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam scandal from his tenure during the coalition government, has now made a sensational counter-claim, alleging the accusations were part of a conspiracy to discredit him. Addressing a rally in Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal, Pawar asserted that these claims were baseless and politically motivated, accusing former NCP leader and then Home Minister, R.R. Patil, of signing off on an inquiry intended to harm his reputation.

Pawar reflected on the scandal’s origin and impact, saying, “The Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam was a number thrown out solely to defame me. When these allegations were made, the government expenses on employees and other activities in Maharashtra since its formation were around Rs 42,000 crore. Then where would a Rs 70,000 crore scam even come from?” He emphasised that the alleged amount, purely due to its magnitude, contributed to the damaging impression of him as a public figure.

Further, Pawar claimed the allegations went beyond smear tactics, involving official orders that pushed for an open inquiry. “A file was created to investigate me further,” Pawar stated. “After passing through the Home Ministry, then-Home Minister R.R. Patil approved the file for an open inquiry into my conduct.”

In his speech, Pawar expressed his dismay over what he perceived as a “backstabbing” move, remarking, “It felt like my throat was cut with hair. After these baseless allegations, we withdrew support from Pruthviraj Chavan, leading to the government’s fall and the imposition of the president’s rule.”

With President’s rule in place, the decision on Pawar’s inquiry was stalled as the then-Governor declined to move forward on the matter, deferring it to the next elected government. When Devendra Fadnavis assumed office, he resumed the inquiry process, bringing a personal note to an otherwise politically charged decision. “Fadnavis called me to his home, showed me the file, and told me, ‘Your own R.R. Patil signed this to investigate you. Now, as Chief Minister, I must sign as well.’ That day, I felt deeply saddened,” Ajit Pawar said.

The remarks come as Pawar campaigns for NCP candidate Sanjaykaka Patil in the Sangli constituency, where Sanjaykaka Patil, who recently switched to the NCP from the BJP, faces a challenging contest against Rohit Patil, son of the late R.R. Patil, who represents the rival NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).