Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 6 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday questioned the disconnect between Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's statement on respecting women officers in the police force and his party MLC Amol Mitkari's actions.

This comes after a viral video showed Ajit Pawar allegedly threatening a woman IPS officer, Anjana Krishna, in Solapur district, for stopping an illegal excavation. In response to the controversy, Pawar claimed on the social media platform X that he has the utmost respect for the police force and women officers, emphasising his commitment to the rule of law.

However, Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the sincerity of Pawar's statement, given the actions of his party's MLC, Amol Mitkari. Mitkari has written a letter to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) seeking verification of IPS officer Anjana Krishna's educational and caste documents.

In a post on X, Chaturvedi said, 'So Ajit Pawar ji in his X post regarding the viral video of threatening a lady officer says, 'I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers, and I value the rule of law above all' And at the same time His party MLC, Amol Mitkari, has written to UPSC to enquire into educational and caste documents submitted by the lady IPS Officer, Anjana Krishna. Who drafted Ajit Pawar ji's X post, is he even aware what his handle has posted and what his MLC is doing?'

Earlier on Friday, Ajit Pawar had refuted all the claims and expressed respect for the police force and women officers, valuing the rule of law and promising strict action against illegal activities.

In a post on X, Pawar said his intention was never to interfere with police work but to ensure that the situation in Solapur 'remained calm and did not escalate further.'

'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. I have the highest respect for our police force and its officers, including the women officers who serve with distinction and courage and I value the rule of law above all,' he wrote. Pawar also assured strict action against illegal sand mining, adding, '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.'

The remarks came after a viral video surfaced from Kurdu village in Madha tehsil of Solapur, where IPS officer Anjana Krishna had gone on August 21 to investigate complaints of illegal soil excavation for road construction.

A clash broke out between police and villagers, after which the Nationalist Congress Party workers intervened. One of them, Baba Jagtap, handed his phone to the woman IPS officer during the confrontation, connecting her to Pawar.

In the viral video, the IPS officer is heard telling Pawar, 'Sir, can you do one thing and call me on my number directly?' To this, Pawar responds, 'Just one minute, I will take action against you. I am talking to you, and you are asking me to call you directly. You want to see me? You can take my number and WhatsApp call me. Itna aapko daring hua hai kya? (Are you that daring?)' (ANI)