The Koregaon Land Saga: Ajit Pawar Stands Firm Amidst Mounting Questions

It's a familiar dance in Maharashtra politics, isn't it? The spotlight, once again, shines intensely on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, particularly concerning allegations tied to the sprawling Koregaon Bhima land allocation case. He's been unwavering, almost defiant, in his stance: not a single rupee, he insists, has been 'dealt with' by him in the controversial land transactions. A rather bold claim, one might say, especially when the political air is thick with whispers and accusations.

This isn't new territory for Pawar. His name, you see, has been bandied about in this particular imbroglio since, well, some time now. The core of the issue revolves around a substantial piece of land — roughly 7.76 hectares, if you want to get specific — situated in the Perne phata area of Koregaon Bhima. Now, this land was originally earmarked for folks affected by the Pavana Dam project. A noble cause, truly. But then, as often happens, things got a bit... complicated.

The accusation, leveled primarily by the Aam Aadmi Party's state unit, is stark: this land, valued in the market at a staggering Rs 150 crore, was allegedly handed over to Pawar’s close relatives for a paltry sum. A mere Rs 30 lakh, they claim. It’s a discrepancy that raises eyebrows, prompting calls for thorough investigations. And honestly, who could blame them?

Pawar, for his part, has consistently dismissed these allegations as nothing more than politically motivated mud-slinging. “There’s no truth to it,” he reiterated recently in Nagpur, speaking to the media. He's maintained that his involvement, if any, was strictly administrative and above board, pointing out that the state government itself had previously conducted a preliminary inquiry, finding no wrongdoing. A clean chit, he’d argue, if you will.

Yet, the calls for a more robust investigation persist. Aam Aadmi Party leader Kishore Mandhyan has been particularly vocal, urging the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to truly get to the bottom of the matter. He’s also advocated for a judicial commission, much like the one currently probing the unfortunate events surrounding the January 1, 2018, Koregaon Bhima violence, to examine these land dealings. The implication being, perhaps, that the existing inquiries haven't been quite enough.

It's a saga that intertwines land, politics, and power — a classic narrative, really. While Ajit Pawar projects an image of calm certainty, insisting his hands are clean, the questions continue to swirl. And in the rough-and-tumble world of Maharashtrian politics, where perception can often be as potent as fact, these questions, even if repeatedly denied, tend to linger for a very, very long time.