Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President said, “My attention has been drawn to certain videos circulating regarding my interaction with police officials in Solapur. Let me state clearly that my intention was not to interfere with law enforcement but to ensure that the situation on the ground remained calm and did not escalate further.”
The Minister further stated that he has the “highest respect” for the police force and its officers, “including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all.”
“I remain firmly committed to transparent governance and to ensuring that every illegal activity, including sand mining, is dealt with strictly as per the law,” Pawar added.
The video of the exchange between the Minister and the woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Anjana Krishna, went viral on the internet and sparked a debate around the minister’s treatment of the law and order officials.
Read more: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar threatens woman IPS officer during illegal excavation’s inspection
Politicians slam Ajit Pawar for remarksÂ
The Maharashtra Deputy CM’s remarks sparked a debate around the topic, with the state’s ministers calling out Pawar for his “indecent” language.
Shiv Sena (UBT faction) MP Sanjay Raut called for the woman officer’s protection, adding that she was doing her job as the illegal mining caused a loss to government’s treasury.
“This entire issue involves illegal mining. A young IPS officer, Anjali Krushna, stopped the entire illegal mining operation in her area because it was causing a loss to the government treasury. She received complaints from the local people and managed to halt the work. Afterwards, the Deputy CM of Maharashtra threatened her over the phone, telling her that the people involved in that work are from his party and she must protect them,” he told reporters.
“The woman officer replied that she would not engage in any illegal activity. Consequently, Ajit Pawar warned not to mess with him… This clearly reflects the state of Maharashtra. I appeal to the Home Minister of this country to give protection to a young IPS officer,” he added, as per news agency ANI.
Another Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey said, “Ajit Pawar is speaking to a female IPS officer, Anjali Krishna, in language that is absolutely indecent. It is the responsibility of an IPS officer to stop illegal mining, which she was doing… This is such unfortunate behaviour… You (Ajit Pawar) are the Deputy Chief Minister to promote people’s welfare, to stop illegal mining, to curb corruption; you are not on this post to threaten a female officer.”
“We would like to ask Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Modi, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis what action you will take against Ajit Pawar. Does such behavior befit Maharashtra’s culture? An honest female IPS officer who is taking action against goons in Maharashtra — you should encourage her, help her — but instead, you are threatening her? This will not set a good example for the youth of Maharashtra,” he added.
Party leaders, allies defend Ajit PawarÂ
NCP MP Sunil Tatkare defended Pawar stating that the allegations on him are baseless.
“Dada never talks arrogantly. It is his natural tone. The allegations being levelled are baseless. He is requesting the officer that this needs to be done… Ajit Dada in Maharashtra is known as a man of commitment; he addresses the grievances on an urgent basis,” he told news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Mumbai | On a viral video claiming that Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar allegedly pressurised a woman IPS officer to halt action against illegal soil excavation in Solapur, NCP MP Sunil Tatkare says, “…Dada never talks arrogantly. It is his natural tone. The… pic.twitter.com/vmn52oUwXG
— ANI (@ANI) September 5, 2025
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said that Pawar “admitted” that he was wrong and the matter should be stretched.
“I think Ajit Pawar is a very strong leader and a good administrator. He later talked about what happened. He did that mistakenly because he did not know she was an officer. He also admitted that what he did was not right. So this is not a matter of dispute,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
