Breaking decades of reticence, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has illuminated the shadows over the state’s irrigation sector, admitting to unchecked cost overruns during his ministerial tenure. From 1999 onwards, what started as vital farmer-centric initiatives morphed into a fiscal behemoth exceeding Rs 70,000 crore, he disclosed in a forthright address.
Pawar attributed the discrepancies to rapid decision-making in a high-stakes environment, insisting lessons were learned. This pivot from denial to disclosure marks a new chapter for the NCP stalwart, whose career has been intertwined with water politics.
Not one to let it slide, the BJP unleashed a barrage of criticism, spotlighting Pawar’s ‘deafening silence’ across 25 years. ‘This isn’t confession; it’s confession with convenience,’ quipped a top BJP strategist, hinting at electoral calculus. The party plans to amplify the issue through ads and rallies, targeting NCP’s rural base.
Historically, the scam narrative peaked in 2012-13, leading to Pawar’s brief resignation and CBI probes. Districts like Marathwada and Vidarbha, perennial water crisis hotspots, bore the brunt, with half-built canals mocking promised prosperity. Pawar’s current BJP alliance adds irony, as old foes now share power while dredging up skeletons.
Looking ahead, this could catalyze reforms: stricter tenders, tech-driven monitoring, and independent audits. Yet, trust deficit looms large among agrarian communities. Pawar’s bold step might just be the circuit breaker needed, or a spark igniting fiercer political infernos before the polls.