India, Nov. 24 -- Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday downplayed deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's controversial statement implying that development funds would flow only if voters backed his candidates. Fadnavis said remarks of this kind are common during election campaigns and should not be read as policy.

Speaking in Nagpur, Fadnavis said candidates across parties make similar appeals. "Such comments are made in every election. They shouldn't be taken literally. Once the polls are over, development work continues. Even I would say, 'If you vote for us, we will bring more funds' when I am out campaigning," he said.

His clarification came after Ajit Pawar, while campaigning for the Malegaon Nagar Parishad polls in Baramati tehs...