Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events that has set Maharashtra’s political circles abuzz, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLC Amol Mitkari has withdrawn his controversial social media post questioning the credentials of IPS officer Anjana Krishna and issued a public apology.
The move comes after a firestorm of criticism triggered by a viral video showing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar reprimanding Krishna over a phone call, intensifying a row over alleged political interference in law enforcement.
The Solapur Incident
The controversy erupted on August 31 in Kapre Wasti, Solapur, where Krishna, a sub-divisional police officer in Karmala, was leading a crackdown on illegal murrum (soil) excavation, a material widely used in road construction. During the operation, a local NCP worker, Baba Jagtap, dialled Pawar and handed the phone to Krishna. In the now-viral video, Pawar is heard sternly instructing her to halt the action, even threatening to take action against her when she asked him to contact her directly to verify his identity. Krishna’s composed response, insisting on protocol, earned her praise but also sparked a heated political debate.
Mitkari’s Misstep
Adding fuel to the fire, Mitkari, an NCP spokesperson, escalated the matter by writing to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on September 5, demanding scrutiny of Krishna’s educational qualifications and caste certificate. In a now-deleted post on X, he questioned the legitimacy of her UPSC selection, drawing a controversial parallel with former IAS trainee Pooja Khedkar, whose documents were allegedly fraudulent. The move backfired, inviting sharp rebuke from Opposition leaders who accused him of character assassination and undermining constitutional values.
Apology And Backlash
Facing mounting pressure, Mitkari retracted his remarks on Saturday, issuing an unconditional apology. “I take back my post regarding the Solapur incident and express my regret. This was my personal view, not my party’s stance. I hold the utmost respect for our police force and officers who serve with integrity,” he wrote on X, aligning himself with the NCP’s senior leadership. However, it remains unclear whether he has also withdrawn his letter to the UPSC, as attempts to reach him for clarification went unanswered.
The Opposition, led by the Maha Vikas Aghadi, seized the opportunity to train its guns on the NCP. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took a swipe at Pawar, questioning the disconnect between his claim of respecting the police force and Mitkari’s actions. “Pawar says he values the rule of law, yet his MLC demands a probe into the IPS officer’s documents. Who’s running the show?” she posted on X. Congress leader Yashomati Thakur was equally scathing, condemning Mitkari’s remarks on Krishna’s caste as “deplorable” and questioning why her credentials were suddenly under scrutiny.
Ajit Pawar’s Defence
Pawar, meanwhile, sought to douse the flames on Friday, clarifying that his intention was not to obstruct law enforcement but to defuse a tense situation. “I have the highest respect for our police force, including women officers, and I’m committed to ensuring action against illegal activities like sand mining,” he stated on X. Yet, the Opposition remains unrelenting, with leaders like Thakur and Chaturvedi accusing the NCP of shielding illegal activities and intimidating honest officers.
Who Is Anjana Krishna?
The episode has spotlighted Krishna, a 2022-batch IPS officer from Kerala, known for her integrity. Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, she secured an All India Rank of 355 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, rising from a modest background to serve in Maharashtra’s police force. Her steadfast response to political pressure has won her admiration, even as it underscores the challenges faced by civil servants in navigating political interference.
Larger Implications
As the dust settles, this saga raises larger questions about the delicate balance between political authority and bureaucratic independence in Maharashtra. With the Opposition keeping the heat on, the Mahayuti alliance faces yet another test of its cohesion in the face of public and political scrutiny.