'Will quit politics if ....': What Ajit Pawar said about his 'disguised' Delhi visits

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, said on Friday that he would resign from politics if allegations of him visiting New Delhi in disguise to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah were proven true.
He challenged opposition leaders to quit politics if their allegations were proven false, claiming that efforts were being made to defame him.
Reports circulated in a section of the media had suggested that Pawar, during a recent informal interaction, admitted to holding meetings with Amit Shah in the national capital regarding an alliance between their parties.
Pawar was reported to have said, "I used to wear a mask and a cap during air travel while going to Delhi to attend those meetings. I had changed my name also for air travel." This statement led leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (SP) to target Pawar.
Pawar, in his response to reporters in Nashik, insisted that he does not engage in secretive politics.
"I am an activist who works in democracy. I don't have the habit of doing politics by hiding anything. However, we have been maligned by the opponents with fake narratives and false news," Pawar stated.
Pawar expressed his belief that his opponents were trying to malign him due to the successful schemes being implemented by the government.
"The news of me going to Delhi in disguise is false. If I want to go anywhere, I will go openly. There is no need for me to be afraid of anyone. If the reports of disguise are proven, I will quit politics," Pawar added.
He demanded that the authenticity of the reports be verified by Parliament and reiterated his willingness to resign if proven wrong.
"But if the reports are found incorrect, those who made the allegations without any evidence or facts should quit politics," Pawar said.
Though he was serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly during the alleged incidents, Pawar argued that such a disguise would be impossible.
"When this incident occurred, I was the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly. Everyone recognises me and therefore, such an incident is impossible. Everything going on at present is wrong. These reports do not have any basis or evidence," he added further.
Pawar also pointed out efforts to tarnish his reputation and took a subtle jab at certain opposition leaders.
"At present, efforts are on in the state to defame me. The number of talkative people has increased. The morning siren says anything about anyone," Pawar said, seemingly referring to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
He elaborated on the various schemes launched by the state government, stressing that they were well thought out and designed for permanence.
"People should believe in us. I keep my promises. You give your blessings, these schemes will continue," Pawar concluded.