No meaningful development despite huge funds for Pune from Centre, state: Ajit Pawar
Pune (PTI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday claimed that Pune has received massive financial assistance from the Centre and the state, but the local leadership has failed to translate it into meaningful development for the city.
This “failure” underscores the need for a change in the city’s leadership, he said during a rally in the Baner area ahead of the civic polls to the Pune Municipal Corporation.
Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the BJP and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena are part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state, but are fighting separately in some of the 29 municipal corporations, including PMC, that will go to polls on January 15.
Highlighting issues such as inadequate supply of drinking water, piling garbage, pothole-ridden roads, traffic congestion and a “deteriorating” law and order situation in the city, Pawar said there was a lack of political will to address these problems.
“We want to eliminate the ‘koyta’ (sickle-wielding) gang and maintain law and order in the city. At the Centre and in the state, we are in the Mahayuti, but the situation in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad is different. The administrators who hold the reins of the PMC are responsible,” he said.
Pawar said he has been discharging his responsibilities as Pune’s guardian minister.
“The municipal corporation has separate powers. The Centre and the state have provided huge funds, but the administrators have fallen short.
“Outsiders will come and go. Recognise your own people and stand by your own people. Pune’s leadership is falling short, while the leadership at the Centre and in the state is strong,” he added.
Pawar has ruffled feathers in his ally BJP with his comments over the past few days.
In his press conferences on Friday and Saturday, Pawar had alleged corruption and irregularities in the civic bodies in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, both of which were ruled by the BJP between 2017 and 2022 before the appointment of administrators.
The remarks had prompted Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan to hit back at Pawar. Chavan had said if the BJP started making allegations, it would create “serious difficulties for him (Pawar)”. Chavan had advised the NCP chief to “introspect” before levelling allegations.
Earlier on Sunday, Maharashtra minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule advised Pawar not to target allies during the civic poll campaign.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
