Ajit Pawar's Visit to Pune Reignites Opposition Allegations of IT Industry Exodus from Maharashtra
Pune, July 27, 2025 — Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s early morning visit to the Hinjewadi IT hub in Pune has triggered a fresh wave of political accusations, with the Opposition targeting the Mahayuti government over the alleged “flight” of industries and IT firms from the state to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
During a surprise inspection at 6 a.m. in the rain-hit Hinjewadi area, Mr. Pawar was captured on video expressing his frustration over deteriorating civic infrastructure. In a candid exchange with Ganesh Jambhulkar, the sarpanch of Hinjewadi, the Deputy CM said, “We are ruined. The entire Hinjewadi IT Park is moving out. It’s going out of my Pune, out of Maharashtra, to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Don’t you care at all?”
The video, which quickly went viral, has reignited the long-standing concern that poor infrastructure and governance in Maharashtra are prompting major companies to shift their bases to other states, especially Karnataka and Telangana, which have become prominent IT destinations in recent years.
Opposition leaders, especially from the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), seized on Mr. Pawar’s comments, accusing the state government of gross negligence. Congress leader Sachin Sawant said, “Ajit Pawar himself has admitted what the Opposition has been saying all along — that industries are moving out of Maharashtra under this government. What more proof do people need?”
He added that Pune, which was once the pride of Maharashtra’s IT growth story, is now losing its competitive edge due to inaction and lack of planning. “While Bengaluru and Hyderabad are luring companies with better infrastructure, our IT hubs are plagued by potholes, waterlogging, and traffic nightmares,” Sawant said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also weighed in, saying Mr. Pawar's comments were a public confession of the Mahayuti government's failures. “The Deputy CM has unintentionally confirmed what we’ve been warning about for years. Maharashtra’s industrial backbone is weakening due to the complacency of this government,” Raut said.
The Hinjewadi IT Park, once touted as a flagship destination for tech companies and startups, has been suffering from repeated civic issues, particularly during monsoon seasons. Flooded roads, garbage mismanagement, and lack of adequate public transport have been persistent complaints from residents and professionals working in the area.
Industry insiders confirmed that while no large-scale shift has yet occurred, the dissatisfaction among businesses is growing. A senior executive at a major IT firm based in Hinjewadi said on condition of anonymity, “We are constantly evaluating options. Bengaluru and Hyderabad have become increasingly attractive, especially with their superior infrastructure and proactive local governance.”
Ajit Pawar’s blunt remarks during the visit appeared to stem from a sense of urgency. He reportedly directed local officials to expedite pending civic work and warned that inaction would not be tolerated. “This cannot go on. If we can’t retain our industries, we will lose jobs, and that will be on all of us,” he said during his visit.
However, the Deputy CM’s office later attempted to downplay the controversy, issuing a statement that Mr. Pawar’s words were taken out of context. “The Deputy Chief Minister was expressing concern over the need for immediate improvements. There is no official confirmation of companies relocating. His visit shows his commitment to resolving these issues,” the statement read.
Despite this clarification, the Opposition has continued its attack, demanding a white paper on industrial investment and job creation in Maharashtra in the last five years.
Political analysts note that Ajit Pawar’s emotional outburst could have wider implications, especially as Maharashtra heads into the assembly election season. “Whether intentional or not, his remarks have revealed cracks within the government’s development narrative. Voters will remember that even the Deputy CM believes the state is losing out,” said political commentator Suhas Palshikar.
Meanwhile, citizens and IT workers in Pune expressed mixed reactions. While some appreciated Mr. Pawar’s hands-on approach and willingness to confront problems head-on, others questioned why it took a viral video to bring attention to long-standing issues.
“It’s good he came here, but this has been happening for years. Every monsoon we suffer. We want consistent action, not just visits,” said Nisha Kulkarni, a tech professional who commutes daily to Hinjewadi.
As the debate continues, all eyes will now be on how swiftly the state government can implement infrastructural reforms in Pune and other key economic centers — before more companies begin exploring exits from Maharashtra.
Final Thoughts by TheTrendingPeople
Ajit Pawar's raw and emotional warning may have been a wake-up call — but for whom? For the administration he partly leads, for the Opposition that found unexpected validation, or for an IT industry long used to civic apathy?
What’s clear is that Maharashtra — once India’s unrivaled magnet for investment — is now in a competitive race where infrastructure, responsiveness, and urban governance matter more than legacy.
If the state wants to retain its tech dominance, it must turn these viral moments into visible action — not just headlines.