Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has found himself at the center of a major controversy after a video of his purported confrontation with a woman IPS officer in Solapur went viral on social media. The clip, which shows him allegedly attempting to stop action against illegal excavation of soil, has triggered widespread debate on the balance between political authority and law enforcement.

The Incident in Solapur’s Kurdu Village

The incident reportedly occurred on August 31 in Kurdu village, located in Karmala taluka of Solapur district. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Anjana Krishna, a young IPS officer originally from Kerala and recently posted in Maharashtra, was leading a team to take action against illegal ‘murrum’ excavation.

Murrum, a type of soil commonly used in road construction as sub-base material, is often extracted illegally, leading to loss of natural resources and revenue for the state. Acting on complaints from local villagers, Krishna, along with the tehsildar and sub-divisional officer, reached the site to crack down on the unlawful activity.

However, her arrival sparked confrontation. Villagers clashed with officials, while local NCP workers intervened in defense of those involved in the excavation. Among them was NCP worker Baba Jagtap, who called Ajit Pawar directly from his phone and handed it over to the IPS officer.

The Viral Video: Ajit Pawar’s Heated Words

The two-minute video that surfaced online shows Ajit Pawar speaking sternly to SDPO Anjana Krishna over the phone. His words quickly became the subject of controversy:

• Ajit Pawar (purportedly on the call):

“Suno, main Deputy Chief Minister bol raha hoon aur aapko aadesh deta hoon ki vo rokwao. (Listen, I am the Deputy Chief Minister and I am ordering you to stop this action).”

Unaware that she was indeed speaking to the Deputy CM, Krishna asked him to call on her official number so she could confirm his identity.

Her response appeared to anger Pawar. He allegedly retorted:

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

• “Tujhe mujhe dekhna hai na? Mera number le lo, WhatsApp pe call karo. Mera chehra dekh ke samajh jaogi. Itna aapko daring hua hai kya? (You want to see me, right? Take my number, call me on WhatsApp. You’ll recognize my face. How dare you?).”

Later, Pawar is said to have made a video call to Krishna, insisting that she stop the operation. The video ends with him sternly ordering the officer to comply.

"Suno, mai deputy chief minister bol raha hu aur aapko aadesh deta hu ki vo rokwao"

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar purportedly in a heated exchange with a woman IPS officer Anjana Krishna who was taking action against illegal excavation of soil in Solapur. pic.twitter.com/EirBmHkdYS— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) September 5, 2025

Political Fallout and Reactions

As the clip spread across platforms, it sparked outrage from the opposition, activists, and the general public. The incident was portrayed as a case of political interference in lawful policing.

Opposition Criticism

The opposition parties accused Ajit Pawar of shielding party workers and pressuring law enforcement.

• Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil, NCP (SP) MP from Madha, under whose constituency Kurdu village falls, alleged:

“The IPS officer went to stop illegal sand mining based on villagers’ complaints. An NCP worker called Ajit Pawar, who then ordered the officer to stop. The voice in the video even threatened her when she sought verification of his identity.”

• Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare defended the officer, stating:

“Why should she stop the action? Her request to verify whether the caller was truly the Deputy CM was valid. There was nothing wrong in her conduct.”

• Activist Vijay Kumbhar said:

“The officer was only following the law, yet the Deputy CM threatened her. This shows why politicians prefer having their ‘own’ officers in sensitive posts.”

• Social activist Anjali Damania demanded an apology from Pawar, arguing that threatening a police officer undermines rule of law.

NCP’s Defense

The NCP, however, strongly defended Ajit Pawar.

• State party chief Sunil Tatkare claimed that Pawar’s remarks were misinterpreted:

“Ajit Dada never supports illegal activity. He may have chided the officer only to placate party workers. He perhaps intended to defer the action, not stop it altogether.”

• Party spokesperson Anand Paranjpe added:

“The clip is being misrepresented. In democracy, even workers’ grievances need to be heard. Pawar only tried to manage the situation. The leak was deliberate and politically motivated.”

Tatkare further argued that Pawar is known for his “straight talk” and that bureaucratic clashes of this nature are not unusual in governance.

The Officer’s Silence

SDPO Anjana Krishna, along with the tehsildar and other district officials present during the crackdown, has so far refrained from publicly commenting on the controversy. Officials have only stated that the matter is under inquiry and that no police complaint has been registered.

Broader Context: Illegal Excavation and Political Pressure

Illegal mining and soil excavation is a recurring problem in Maharashtra, often linked with local political patronage. The ‘murrum’ soil trade is lucrative, and crackdowns frequently result in tensions between administrative officials and local politicians.

This incident has reignited questions about the autonomy of law enforcement and the undue influence of political leaders. For many, the video symbolizes the power imbalance between bureaucrats and politicians, where officers acting in public interest may face threats instead of support.

The viral video of Ajit Pawar’s heated exchange with IPS officer Anjana Krishna has snowballed into a political and ethical debate in Maharashtra. While the NCP insists that Pawar’s words were misinterpreted and aimed only at defusing a tense situation, critics argue that his conduct undermined an officer performing her lawful duty.

With inquiries underway and the video continuing to circulate widely, the controversy has not only dented the Deputy CM’s image but also highlighted the larger issue of political interference in law enforcement. Whether Pawar’s remarks were an attempt to calm party workers or a direct order to halt legal action, the episode has raised critical questions about governance, accountability, and the rule of law in Maharashtra.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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