In a scathing tweet that has sent ripples through Maharashtra’s political landscape, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Anjali Damania raised serious questions about the recent developments surrounding Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Damania’s tweet, referencing the swearing-in ceremony of the state’s new government, questioned the sudden clearance of Pawar’s assets and linked it to his comment during a press conference just a day before the oath-taking ceremony.
“Swearing ceremony on 5th and order of 1000 crores? This is the order. Now I know that in the press conference held by Fadnavis-Shinde and Ajit Pawar on 4th, why did Ajit Pawar say, ‘I will take oath’,” Damania wrote on Twitter, raising eyebrows and sparking a fresh wave of political speculation.
Damania’s tweet was a direct reference to two significant events that occurred around the same time — Ajit Pawar’s swearing-in as Deputy Chief Minister on December 5 and the surprising development concerning his financial affairs. On December 6, the Income Tax Department cleared all properties seized from Ajit Pawar’s family in a 2021 benami case, providing him with a major relief just one day after his return to power.
The Benami Case and the IT Relief
In a twist that many political observers are calling timely, the Income Tax Department’s decision followed a ruling by the Prevention of Benami Property Transactions Appellate Tribunal in Delhi, which dismissed allegations of benami property ownership against Ajit Pawar and his family. The case dates back to October 2021 when the Income Tax Department raided several companies linked to the Pawar family. During the raids, documents were allegedly found that connected certain properties to Ajit Pawar, sparking accusations of benami ownership.
However, after extensive hearings, the tribunal ruled in favor of Ajit Pawar and his family, stating that the allegations of benami property transactions were unfounded. Advocate Prashant Patil, representing the Pawar family, argued that the charges lacked merit, and there was no substantial evidence to support the claims of illegal property transactions. The tribunal’s detailed ruling confirmed that no irregularities were found in the records presented, and it stated, “The material produced by the appellant does not show any benami transaction.”
Damania’s Allegations and the Political Backdrop
Damania’s tweet appears to connect the timing of the income tax relief with Ajit Pawar’s decision to take the oath of office as Deputy Chief Minister, suggesting that there may be a link between the two. She raised the question of why, just a day before the swearing-in ceremony, Ajit Pawar had publicly announced his intent to take the oath, despite the shadow of the benami case hanging over him.
Her comments come amidst growing tensions between the newly formed government in Maharashtra, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and their political rivals. The NCP’s Pawar, who had controversially aligned with the BJP in July 2022, had been under intense scrutiny due to the benami property case and his involvement in the larger political shift in the state. With this recent development, some political analysts are questioning whether Pawar’s newfound political alliance and the sudden relief from the Income Tax Department are linked.
A Tumultuous Political Environment
Damania’s allegations are part of a broader narrative of dissatisfaction among opposition parties, particularly regarding Ajit Pawar’s shifting allegiances. In the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Pawar’s realignment with the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition had already raised eyebrows. The AAP leader’s tweet adds fuel to the growing fire of skepticism surrounding the coalition’s ethics and the timing of crucial political and legal decisions.
As the state’s political scene continues to evolve, Damania’s comments highlight the underlying tensions and mistrust that remain within the opposition, which continues to question the legitimacy of the BJP and its allies, including Ajit Pawar. For now, the focus remains on how these revelations will affect the Maharashtra government’s future and whether this latest controversy will have a lasting impact on the state’s political landscape.
