NCP Candidate Clarifies Rs 10-Crore Payment to Jay Pawar as Property Deal Advance

Pune: NCP member Vikram Kakade addressed the media on Thursday to clarify the Rs 10-crore payment listed in his MLC poll affidavit. He stated that the payment was not a loan but an advance for a property deal with Jay Pawar, the younger son of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

“This is not a loan but an advance payment made to Jay. A plot adjacent to my residence belongs to him. Last year, during a discussion with Ajit dada, I had expressed interest in purchasing that land. Since the property is in Jay’s name, I paid the advance to finalize the deal,” Vikram explained.

Kakade joined the NCP on the final day of filing nominations for the MLC elections, alongside his father, former Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kakade. He was subsequently fielded as the party’s official candidate for the Pune seat.

In his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, Kakade declared total family assets worth Rs 150 crore. He is engaged in the construction business, a field he shares with his father. Kakade is also known to be close to Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar, the elder son of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

The 33-year-old candidate, who listed his educational qualification as Std XII pass, disclosed Rs 41.80 crore under loans and advances. Of this amount, Rs 10 crore was paid to Jay Pawar, as shown in his affidavit.

This clarification comes amidst the ongoing scrutiny of political candidates' financial disclosures, particularly in high-profile elections. The transparency in financial matters is crucial for maintaining public trust in the political process. Kakade's explanation aims to clear any misunderstandings and ensure that his financial dealings are transparent and above board.