Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has found himself in the middle of a controversy after a video showing him purportedly rebuking a woman IPS officer went viral on social media. In the clip, Pawar is heard pressuring the officer to stop action against alleged illegal soil excavation in Solapur’s Kurdu village.

The incident reportedly took place two days ago in Karmala taluka, where sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Anjana Krishna had gone to investigate complaints of illegal ‘murrum’ excavation, a material widely used in road construction. During the operation, clashes broke out between villagers and officials, prompting NCP workers to intervene. Local party worker Baba Jagtap then handed his phone to Krishna after directly dialing Ajit Pawar.

In the video, Pawar can be heard confronting the officer after she failed to recognise his voice. “I am the Deputy Chief Minister, and you are asking me to call you directly? How dare you? Take my number and make a video call,” Pawar is heard saying in an angry tone. Moments later, Pawar made a video call himself, insisting that the officer halt the action and recognise him by face.

The incident has triggered sharp criticism online, with many questioning Pawar’s tone and conduct. However, the NCP has defended its leader. State party chief Sunil Tatkare claimed that Pawar’s remarks were misinterpreted and that he was only trying to calm down party workers on the ground. “Ajit Dada has never supported illegal activities. His words were twisted out of context,” Tatkare said.

Party spokesperson Anand Paranjpe also alleged that the video was being given “a wrong colour” and insisted that Pawar’s intervention was aimed at managing the tense situation. The NCP further alleged that the clip was deliberately leaked to target Pawar politically.

Meanwhile, officials present during the incident — including DSP Krishna, the tehsildar, and the sub-divisional officer — have refrained from making any public comments, stating only that the matter is under inquiry. So far, no police complaint has been registered in connection with the incident.