India, Nov. 22 -- Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar came under political fire after comments he made while campaigning in Malegaon, Baramati Taluka, were perceived as a threat to voters. Opposition parties accused him of linking municipal funding to electoral support.

Pawar was campaigning for the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat elections on Friday when he reportedly stated that electing his party candidates would result in increased funding, while rejecting them could lead to the withdrawal of funds for the municipal council.

He added, "The Malegaon Municipal Council's budget is only Rs.15 crore, and more funds are needed for development. I had given more funds to Baramati, which is why it is developed today. If voters want the same developmen...