Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan responded on Monday to the allegations made against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar by retired IPS officer Meeran Chadha Borwankar in her latest book, expressing his lack of awareness regarding the land deal that Pawar was purportedly involved in.
In Borwankar's recent book, 'Madam Commissioner,' she asserted that in 2010, Ajit Pawar oversaw the auction of 3 acres of land located in Pune's Yerawada area, land that was originally the property of the police.
When summoned by Ajit Pawar to facilitate the transfer of this land, she declined, believing that the land was necessary for police operations and housing police personnel.
Moreover, Borwankar stated that following her refusal to comply with Pawar's directive, she was denied a posting in CID Pune in 2012, during Ajit Pawar's tenure as the Pune District Guardian Minister. She went on to reveal that Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan informed her that "they" did not want her to hold the position in Pune.
According to Borwankar, Chavan conveyed to her, "I cannot post you at the CID Pune. 'They' have made it a prestige point, and we have to abide by coalition dharma."
In response to these allegations, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan clarified, "I have not read the entire book, but there are two distinct issues in this entire case. First, there's the matter of the land deal, and second, the issue of the transfer. Please understand that I assumed the role of Chief Minister in November 2010, whereas the deal in question occurred before that. The deal did not transpire during my term, and consequently, I have no knowledge of it."
He elaborated further, stating, "Regarding the transfer matter, many senior IPS officers do request specific postings. However, transfers are determined by a transfer board and committee, which make recommendations for these transfers. Not all requests for postings can be accommodated. So, she (Meeran Chadha Borwankar) might have received calls from me or the Chief Minister's office. I don't recall the details exactly, but her request may not have been granted. This is a standard procedure. Some requests are approved, and some are not."
Excerpts from the book detailing the allegations against Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis:
"In June 2012, I received a phone call from the chief minister’s office, asking if I had any preference for my next posting. I mentioned that the post of the additional director general at CID Pune was going to be vacant, and I could be considered for it as I had worked there as superintendent and inspector general. A few days later, the chief minister himself called me and said, 'I cannot post you at the CID Pune. 'They' have made it a prestige point, and we have to abide by coalition dharma. If you want to continue in Pune for family reasons, please identify any other post.' I, of course, understood who 'they' were. Some officers told me that many cases against powerful builders under the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act were pending investigation with the CID, as a result of which 'you would never be posted there.' At senior levels, there are not many posts outside Mumbai. I was wondering what to do next when the CM’s office gave me a call again to ask if I would accept the position of the chief of Maharashtra Prisons, which has its headquarters in Pune. I readily agreed, little realizing the challenges that were in store."
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