You have votes, I have funds; if you reject, I will also reject: Ajit Pawar tells electors

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has told voters in Malegaon in the district that he will ensure there is no shortage of funds for the town if they choose his party’s candidates, but that he too will “reject” them if they reject them.

Mr. Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party, was campaigning for the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat elections in Baramati tehsil on Friday, November 21, 2025.

Notably, he holds the finance portfolio of the BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena government.

“If you elect all 18 NCP candidates, I guarantee there will be no shortage of funds. If you elect all 18 candidates, I am determined to give everything I promised. But if you reject, I will also refuse. You have your votes, I have funds,” he said.

The remarks drew criticism from the Opposition, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accusing Mr. Pawar of threatening voters.

“The funds are not coming from Ajit Pawar’s house but from the taxes paid by the people. If a leader like Mr. Pawar is threatening the voters, what is the Election Commission doing?” he asked.

Nagar Panchayats elections are scheduled to be held on December 2. NCP led by Mr. Pawar and a BJP-backed panel formed an alliance in Malegaon.