Mumbai, 28 January – Shiv Sena-UBT chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed deep sorrow over the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. He described Ajit Pawar as a dedicated leader and an excellent colleague whom he lost from his cabinet.
Uddhav Thackeray said, “When I was Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar was the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister. He was a disciplined leader with a strong command over his department and possessed deep knowledge of finance. We shared a special bond as colleagues. Ajit Pawar was open-hearted and spoke his mind without holding grudges. Although he chose a different path in politics, he never let our relationship break.”
He added, “Ajit Pawar was popularly known as ‘Dada’ in Maharashtra. I never imagined he would leave us so soon. He was a leader who loved his workers dearly. His departure has created a void in the state’s leadership. In every sense, he truly was ‘Dada’. On behalf of the Thackeray and Shiv Sena family, I pay my heartfelt tribute to him.”
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray also expressed grief, calling Ajit Pawar an outstanding leader whom Maharashtra has lost. “Ajit Pawar and I entered politics around the same time, though we met much later. His passion for politics helped him rise significantly in Maharashtra’s political arena. Though initially seen in the shadow of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar carved out his own distinct identity and spread it across the state,” he said.
Raj Thackeray noted that in the 1990s, urbanisation accelerated in Maharashtra, with rural areas moving towards semi-urbanisation while retaining a rural political temperament. “Ajit Pawar had a thorough understanding of this political landscape and skillfully managed it. Pimpri-Chinchwad and Baramati are prime examples of his political acumen. He transformed these areas so effectively that even his political opponents acknowledged it.”
He further said, “Ajit Pawar was a leader with precise administrative control who knew exactly how to resolve issues within the system. At a time when administration should rise above political power, it is very sad that Maharashtra has lost such a leader. He was straightforward—if something was impossible, he said so openly, and if achievable, he gave his all. Deceiving people or empty promises were never his style. I know from experience that honesty and directness in politics come at a cost, and one can imagine how much Ajit Pawar had to pay.”
Raj Thackeray also praised Ajit Pawar for being free from caste discrimination and keeping caste out of his politics. “Today, leaders who dare to work beyond caste considerations are rare, and Ajit Pawar was undoubtedly one of the foremost. Political opposition should remain political, not personal. That is why Maharashtra is losing such leaders who understand this distinction. The departure of generous political opponents is a great loss to Maharashtra’s rich political tradition. My family and I stand with the Pawar family in their grief. On behalf of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, I offer my deepest respects to Ajit Pawar.”
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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