Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday released a video message for people claiming that the Opposition is criticising him unfairly. Praising the budget he presented last week as “historical”, Pawar said his only crime was that he always thinks of the poor and farmers, trying to ease their burden and improve their condition. I was falsely accused of corruption, but not a single charge has been proved against me, nor will it be so in future, he said.

The Sharad Pawar faction alleged that Ajit Pawar’s video was part of a race among the ruling parties to take credit for populist schemes announced in the budget.

In the video message, Ajit Pawar said that people with a negative mindset are criticising the budget. “A few days ago, I presented the state budget. I got the opportunity to present the historic budget and consider it my fortune.”

Pawar presented the state budget on June 29, announcing sops for monthly direct cash transfers women, three free gas cylinders for a family, Rs. 10,000 monthly stipend for youth, and free electricity for farmers. However, the opposition criticised the announcement as a gimmick ahead of the state election and alleged that the state does not have funds to finance these schemes.

Talking about the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ under which a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 would be given to eligible women, Pawar said scheme is intended to make women more independent and not feel compelled to ask for money from the men for small things. “The people who only want to play politics are criticising it. That’s the difference between them and me. I continue to do my work,” he said.

The Maharashtra DCM claimed that he has launched several schemes and initiatives for the welfare of common people. “Check out how many schemes or initiatives I have launched, the list is long. Yet the Opposition is shouting that we have not given anything. Actually, they have nothing to do with the state’s development and are only engaging in politics,” he added.

Highlighting the CM Anna Suraksha Yojana, Ajit Pawar said the government will provide 52.4 lakh households with three free gas cylinders annually and that his opponents are cursing him for this. He also pointed out that the government decided to bear the burden of farmers’ electricity bills, which will benefit 44 lakh farmers.

“My only fault is that I understand the pain of the farmers. Through government schemes, I have tried to alleviate their pain. Opponents couldn’t tolerate this and are, therefore, cursing me. We have given Rs 350 per quintal subsidy to onion farmers. Still, why are they (Opposition) opposing it? This only shows who is against farmers,” he said.

Referring to corruption allegations against him, the DCM said, “I was falsely accused of corruption, but not a single charge has been proved against me, nor will it be so in future. Those who work more get censured more.”

However, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule said that the opposition parties did not level corruption charges against her cousin. It was the BJP, with whom Ajit Pawar has alliance now, made the accusations against him, Ms Sule said.

“He was accused of corruption by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders, nobody else. So he should question them,” Ms. Sule said.

Another NCP leader Jayant Patil said there is a competition among the Mahayuti constituents to claim credit for schemes announced in hope that the situation becomes favourable for the ruling parties in the Assembly elections.