PUNE, 13 NOV. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday dismissed the growing calls for his resignation following allegations of irregularities in the multi-crore Mundhwa land deal involving a company linked to his son, Parth Pawar. Responding to the demand made by RTI activist Anjali Damania, Pawar remained terse, telling reporters in Pune that he would "take an appropriate decision depending on the dictates of my conscience," but declined to elaborate further on the controversy.
Activist Anjali Damania had demanded that an FIR be registered against both the Deputy Chief Minister and his son, arguing that Pawar must step down from his positions as Deputy CM and District Guardian Minister. Damania contended that the committee established by the state government to probe the land deal cannot conduct an impartial investigation since five of its six members hail from Pune.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule defended Parth Pawar's company, Amadea Enterprises, while simultaneously questioning the actions of the Department of Registration and Stamps. Bawankule revealed he would ask the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) why a ₹42 crore notice was served to the company when the land deal has already been canceled. The notice reportedly sought ₹21 crore for waived stamp duty and an additional ₹21 crore as a penalty for seeking the deal's cancellation. Bawankule confirmed that a committee of top officials has been set up to probe the entire matter, including the ₹42 crore notice, and is expected to submit its report within one month, after which further action will be taken.
Both the NCP and BJP spokespersons backed Pawar, reiterating that the probe is being conducted under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, assuring the public of an impartial investigation. They also emphasized that the contentious land deal has already been officially canceled.
