You have votes, I have funds, Indian top politician shocks voters

By Isa Isawade

Indian top politician and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, on Saturday sparked a political uproar with remarks made during a campaign rally in Malegaon town of Baramati tehsil, that the electorate have the votes while he has the funds.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader warned voters that development funds would flow only if they backed his party’s candidates in the upcoming local body elections.

According to the India Today, Pawar, who holds the state’s Finance portfolio, told voters that while they have the power to vote, he has control over funds.

Pawar made the controversial comment when he was campaigning for the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat polls.

He urged residents to elect all 18 candidates from his panel, which includes nominees from the NCP and its alliance partners.

“Friends, the Centre and the State have many schemes. If all of us work together and implement these schemes properly, we can ensure good development for Malegaon,” Pawar was quoted to have said at the rally.

“If you give me victory for all 18 candidates, I am ready to deliver everything that I have promised. But if you cross-mark me, I will also cross-mark you. The vote is in your hands, and the fund is in my hand,” Pawar told his audience.

He assured Malegaon residents that the town would witness development similar to Baramati if they backed his panel.

According to the newspaper, Pawar’s comments have triggered criticism from opposition parties with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accusing him of issuing threats to voters.

“Funds are given from the taxes paid by the common people and not from Ajit Pawar’s house. If a leader like Pawar is threatening voters, what is the Election Commission doing?” Danve asked.

Elections to the Nagar Panchayats in Maharashtra, including Malegaon, will take place on December 2.