Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna on Thursday condoled the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and underlined his influence and contribution to the state’s politics.
Saamana magazine, in its editorial, described Ajit Pawar as a natural leader who displayed independent leadership even while working under the tutelage of his uncle Sharad Pawar.
It said his sudden death is a big blow to Maharashtra as the state has lost a strong and generous leader. The editorial also noted that Ajit Pawar was constantly active and deeply involved in public life.
Tracing the political journey of Ajit Pawar, Saamana wrote that he entered politics as Sharad Pawar’s nephew and rose under his guidance, but ultimately carved his own political path through his achievements.
The editorial read, “Ajit Dada was always active, constantly travelling. Now he has set out on a journey from which he will never return. His sudden departure has left a deep void in Maharashtra’s social life, political landscape and the personal lives of millions of people. He had entered Maharashtra politics as Sharad Pawar’s nephew. Under Pawar’s tutelage, like the Sahyadri brothers, he consolidated his position and carved his own path through his achievements. TIME With this, his political journey became different from Sharad Pawar’s journey.”
The editorial described him as an outspoken and efficient leader who valued punctuality, cleanliness and discipline. It said that making empty promises did not suit his work style, and he often proved his words with actions.
Saamna wrote in its editorial, “Ajit Pawar was known to be an outspoken and efficient leader. He valued punctuality, cleanliness and neatness. Making empty promises was not in his style. He would often say, ‘Let’s see how you get elected,’ and then make it happen.”
Saamna compared Ajit Pawar to a “huge umbrella” under which thousands of people were sheltered, and said that with his demise the future of those dependent on him had become uncertain. Pramod Mahajan, Gopinath Munde, Vilasrao Deshmukh and R.R. Recalling the demise of other prominent leaders like Patil, the editorial said that it seems as if Marathi politics has come under the influence of some evil force.
Saamana said, “In contemporary politics, Ajit Pawar was like a huge umbrella under which thousands of people found shelter. When that umbrella collapsed, the future of those dependent on him became uncertain. Ajit Pawar was truly a “Dada”. This era of “Dada” ended too soon. Talented leaders like Pramod Mahajan, Gopinath Munde, Vilasrao Deshmukh and RR Patil have departed from the political stage of Maharashtra. It seems as if Marathi politics But some evil force has fallen prey to it. Once again, Maharashtra has lost a capable and powerful leader.”
The editorial said that due to the absence of Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra politics appears weak, slow and directionless. It also said that those who had built their political careers around him now feel orphaned, and a determined, courageous and fearless personality of Maharashtra politics has crossed the curtain of time, leaving behind countless memories.
Saamana wrote, “In the absence of a leader like Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra politics appears weak, slow and directionless. A large section of people who built their political careers in his name are now feeling orphaned. A determined, courageous and fearless personality of Maharashtra politics has crossed the curtain of time, leaving behind countless memories.”
Ajit ‘Dada’ Pawar died in a plane crash at Baramati airport on Wednesday. He left behind a long career in politics full of ups and downs. He was going to Baramati to participate in a public meeting for the Zilla Parishad elections.
Ajit Pawar was born on 22 July 1959 in Devlali Pravara, Rahuri taluka of Ahmednagar district.
He was popularly known as “Ajit Dada” for his tireless efforts for the people of Maharashtra and his ability to remain connected to them and the land.
Apart from making significant contributions to government administration, Pawar also supervised the management of various cooperative organizations including milk unions and associations and sugar factories.
Ajit Dada’s leadership journey started with institutions like milk unions, cooperative societies, sugar factories and banks and moved in a new direction with his election to the Lok Sabha in 1991. Later he vacated the Baramati seat for his uncle Sharad Pawar. Since then he has served as MLA, Minister of State for various important government departments and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, among other positions.
Ajit Pawar has been the longest serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and this tenure was not continuous. He held the post of Deputy Chief Minister six times in different governments. He served as Deputy Chief Minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.
In November 2019, he split the NCP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and became the Deputy Chief Minister. In February 2024, the Election Commission granted the party name and symbol to the Ajit Pawar-led faction.
Despite this, Ajit Pawar was considered very close to his uncle Sharad Pawar, under whose guidance he started his political career. In the recently held Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections, two rival factions of the NCP formed an alliance and presented a joint development agenda for Pune.
Ajit Pawar was known for his frankness and outspokenness. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and two sons Jai and Parth Pawar.
