Ajit Pawar conducts background checks on party workers

We need to stop attempts to tarnish Beed's image and foster caste-based divisions. AJIT PAWAR, Dy chief minister, Maharashtra

- Shrinivas Deshpande

PUNE: Ahead of his visit to Beed, the National Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar reportedly conducted a background check on some of his party workers for criminal records through the police department. The verification process took place a day before his scheduled meetings, highlighting his cautious approach toward political engagements.

The verifications were made in the context of last year's murder of Massajog Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh and the arrest of Walmik Karad, an associate of NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, in a linked extortion case. Facing mounting political pressure, Munde, a cabinet minister, resigned last month.