Ajit Pawar Dismisses Speculation Over Police Visit to NCP Strategist's Office
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar clarified that the January 13 police visit to political strategist Naresh Arora's DesignBoxed office was routine information gathering, not enforcement action. No incriminating documents or financial irregularities were found during the visit. The NCP president defended the party's digital strategist ahead of January 15 municipal elections, emphasizing full cooperation with authorities while rejecting unfounded speculation.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar moved to address speculation on January 13 after officers from the Pune Crime Branch visited the offices of political strategist Naresh Arora and his consultancy firm, DesignBoxed. The visit drew significant attention within Maharashtra's political circles due to its timing ahead of crucial local body elections.
Official Response and Clarification
Pawar issued a formal statement characterizing the police presence as part of routine information-gathering rather than an enforcement action. He emphasized that the firm extended full cooperation to authorities, with officials granted access to all requested information during the visit.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Nature of Visit | Routine information gathering |
| Cooperation Level | Full access provided to authorities |
| Findings | No incriminating documents found |
| Financial Irregularities | None discovered |
| Party Response | Complete support for strategist |
The Deputy Chief Minister stressed that no incriminating documents or financial irregularities were discovered, urging that the exercise should not be mischaracterized as a raid. He noted that the "concerned officers" completed their work without any objections being raised.
Political Context and Timing
The visit's timing proved particularly sensitive given DesignBoxed's role in managing the NCP's digital outreach and public messaging ahead of local body polls. Pawar addressed the resulting political chatter by calling for restraint against drawing unfounded conclusions.
Both NCP factions are currently coordinating for the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for January 15. The NCP split occurred two years ago following a rebellion led by Ajit Pawar, with his faction subsequently aligning with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Party's Stance on Professional Partners
Pawar reiterated the party's backing for Naresh Arora and DesignBoxed, stating that while the NCP respects legal processes, it will not allow the spread of "confusion, rumours, or unnecessary narratives" lacking factual basis. He described the party's approach as one of "patience, responsibility, and clarity."
DesignBoxed has worked with leaders across party lines and plays a central role in the NCP's current perception management efforts. Pawar's public defense underscores the party's intent to stand by its professional partners amid what it views as unwarranted scrutiny.
Broader Industry Scrutiny
This development occurs amid heightened scrutiny of political consulting firms nationwide. The Enforcement Directorate recently conducted searches at the Kolkata offices of I-PAC and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, in connection with a multi-crore money laundering probe linked to an alleged coal smuggling syndicate.
The agency alleged that "tens of crores" were routed through hawala channels, a claim denied by I-PAC. The matter escalated after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the ED of attempting to "steal" her party's election strategy, while the ED later approached the Supreme Court alleging "state-sponsored obstruction."
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