India, April 3 -- 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.

While addressing the NCP youth gathering in the Beed, Pawar ...