Less important issues get highlighted instead of my work: Ajit Pawar | Pune News - The Times of India

Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday blamed the media for portraying him in a bad light, after going on the backfoot over a verbal exchange with IPS officer Anjana Krishna."I am a workaholic man. But instead of showing my work, the media focuses more on less important issues," he said.Ajit Pawar drew flak after a video surfaced in social media of his phone call allegedly "threatening" IPS officer Krishna, posted as the sub-divisional police officer with the Solapur Rural police, when she was taking action against illegal mining in Kurdu village of the district. After the controversy, he had cancelled his public events citing health issues.While attending an event in Pune on Saturday, Ajit Pawar said, "I have been active in politics for 35 years. Ask any officer how I have behaved with them in all these years."After being criticised for the manner in which he spoke to the IPS officer, Ajit Pawar avoided speaking much on the issue. He said, "I have given an explanation on social media and the chief minister has also taken note of it."Some NCP members had claimed after the controversy that the soil mining activity in Kurdu village was legal, but IPS officer Krishna and a team of revenue officials were still taking action against the villagers. The inquiry initiated by the Solapur collector found that the soil mining was illegal and the officer's action was correct.About the findings of the report on illegal soil mining, Ajit Pawar said, "The decision (on illegal soil mining at Kurdu village) will be taken by the state govt. The chief minister is strong enough to take that call."The NCP chief also refuted speculations about some cracks in Mahayuti. "I can give it in writing on a stamp paper that there is no issue within our alliance. The chief minister has taken every member in confidence while working. We three (chief minister and his two deputies) have excellent coordination and others should not bother about us," Ajit Pawar said.