Sodun or Chorun?

Ajit Pawar’s ‘misinterpreted’ remarks over Dhirubhai Ambani leads to a political storm

Mumbai: A reference to the late industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani followed by a fiery criticism by the opponents led to a big trouble for Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday. The NCP chief felt so offended that he declared to quit politics if he meant something different than what he had said about the founder of the Reliance Group.

Pawar had said, “Dhirbhai Ambani petrol sodun kotyadhish zale”. (Dhirubhai Ambani became a multi-billionaire after started working as a vendor at a petrol pump). Pawar’s opponent Anjali Damania, a social activist, heard chorun (stealing) instead of sodun (vending). That changed the meaning of Pawar’s statement as: Dhirubhai Ambani became a multi-billionaire by stealing petrol when he was working at a petrol pump.

Since the name of one of India’s richest and most influential industrialists was involved in Pawar’s “miss-heard” speech, a political controversy took a shape immediately.

The reported speech

Ajit Pawar was campaigning for the election of the Malegaon Co-operative sugar mill in his hometown Baramati. He explained to the audience how he gave priority to Co-operative sector than anything else. “Had I started a petrol pump, I would have employed only a few people. But, I wanted to protect the Co-Operatives,” Pawar said. “No work should be considered lowly. Dhirubhai Ambani started as a petrol pump vendor. But, fulfilled his dreams and rose to become a multi-millionaire. Youth should have that kind of passion. You can create gold out of your work.”

However, Anjali Damani accused Pawar of insulting the late industrialist and slammed him over the various corruption charge he faced. “They (Ambani) became multi-millionaire by stealing petrol at the pump? And what about you? What else did you do with the irrigation scam, the MSEB scam?” Damania sought to know in a post shared on microblogging platform X.

According to NCP spokesperson Suraj Chavan, while Pawar used the word ‘Sodun’ (vending) while describing Ambani’s rags to riches story at a function, social media posts have gone viral accusing him of using the word ‘Chorun’ (stealing). “The self-styled social worker is deliberately trying to confuse people by saying ‘Chorun’ instead of the word ‘Sodun’ which was used by Ajit Pawar,” Chavan said.

The election of Malegaon Co-operative Sugar Mill is considered to be the most prestigious election in Baramati region. Ajit Pawar himself has decided to contest the election this time and has fielded an entire panel this time. This has led to the possibility of three or four corner contest.

“If I had said anything different, I would quit politics.”

Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister