RTI Revelations: The Politics of Secrecy and Allegations

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that a file related to a probe against Ajit Pawar in the alleged irrigation scam can be accessed through RTI, denying any secrecy breach. The issue arose after Ajit Pawar claimed a file he saw was signed by late R R Patil.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that documents concerning a probe against Ajit Pawar in the alleged irrigation scam can be accessed via the Right to Information (RTI) Act, countering claims of secrecy breach.

Ajit Pawar, also a deputy Chief Minister, recently revealed at a rally that his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) colleague, the late R R Patil, had signed a file that cleared an inquiry against him, which he perceived as a betrayal. Pawar disclosed that it was Fadnavis who, when Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, showed him the document.

This disclosure prompted Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut to accuse both Fadnavis and Pawar of violating their oath of secrecy. Fadnavis clarified to reporters that since the file is accessible through RTI, no breach occurred. The controversy dates back to when the Congress-NCP government faced allegations of financial irregularities in irrigation projects, a time when Ajit Pawar held the ministerial position and his resignation was demanded by the opposition.

(With inputs from agencies.)