PUNE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) recently sparked controversy during his visit to Baramati by declaring that voters were not his "boss" simply because they had elected him. Pawar made this statement while receiving several memorandums and letters on various issues amidst his speech, saying, "Just because you voted for me, it doesn’t mean you have become my boss or owner. Have you made me a farm labourer now?".

Ajit Pawar spent the entire Sunday attending various events in Baramati during which he advocated the expansion of the real estate market in the district and how he plans to take measures that will attract large real estate developers from Pune and Mumbai. He also cracked a joke and said when his wife Sunetra Pawar lost the Lok Sabha elections the real estate prices in the region dropped, however after he won the Baramati assembly seat in the recently concluded polls the markets rose again. 

This remark drew widespread attention and coincided with ongoing political discussions around NCP. On January 3, the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP dismissed any possibility of reuniting with Sharad Pawar’s faction. The NCP reaffirmed its alliance with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level and the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar's comments have been met with mixed reactions. While some defend him others criticize the tone and implications of his statement. Sharad Pawar-led NCP leader Jitendra Awhad criticised Ajit Pawar, saying in a democracy, voters are supreme. The Mahayuti alliance of NCP, BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured a resounding victory, winning 230 out of 288 seats in the recent assembly elections in the state.