Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday backed his deputy, Ajit Pawar, after a controversy erupted over his statement on Friday when he told a gathering to vote for his party or face rejection when it comes to allotment of funds for development works in their area.

NCP chief Ajit Pawar made the statement during a campaign rally for elections to the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat in Baramati taluka.

”The council needs more funds for development purpose. I had given funds to Baramati which led to its development. If you elect our candidates, I will give you whatever I have promised. But if you reject our candidates, I will also reject..You have votes, I have funds,” Pawar, who holds the Finance portfolio, had said.

Downplaying the Deputy CM’s remarks, Fadnavis said in Nagpur, ”Many a times,

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