Ajit Pawar ‘Regrets’ Being a Guardian Minister of Pune District
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 8th August 2025: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, on Friday at an event, expressed his regret over becoming the Guardian Minister for Pune District. He said this in response to a question asked by social worker Maruti Bhapkar. The question was regarding alleged tree cutting and the River Front Development Project (RFD) by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Social worker Maruti Bhapkar, based in Pimpri-Chinchwad, is known for asking tough questions to people in power. He has previously been kept in remand by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police when key politicians visited the city. A similar incident occurred on Friday when DCM Ajit Pawar couldn’t answer Bhapkar’s questions.
Ajit Pawar was attending a ceremony in Chinchwad on the occasion of actor Sayaji Shinde’s birthday. During the incident, while Pawar was giving a speech, Bhapkar rose from his chair among the audience and directed some questions at Pawar.
He said, “Tree cutting for the Mula RFD Project, tree cutting at Durga Hill, and in multiple areas in Pimpri-Chinchwad, illegal tree cutting is happening. You are a Guardian Minister. As a Guardian Minister, you should stop this illegal tree cutting.”
Hearing this, Ajit Pawar said on stage, “Why did I become Pune’s Guardian Minister, I sometimes feel. Every responsibility have I taken? Anyone stands up, gives me instructions!” Ajit Pawar appeared somewhat irritated.
But as things stand, environment-loving citizens, including social workers like Bhapkar, have raised a fight against the administration. Any project that harms the environment is being severely opposed.
