Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday described the death of his fellow Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as sad and unfortunate and said the aircraft accident that claimed his life will be probed.
Speaking to reporters, Shinde said that with Pawar’s demise, he has lost his “elder brother” who not only served as his colleague in different cabinets but was also his deputy when he helmed the government from 2022 to 2024.
The aircraft accident will be probed,” he said, adding that Pawar’s death was both a personal loss and a major blow to the state’s political and administrative leadership.
“Today, I feel as though I have lost my elder brother. Ajit Pawar was not just a leader; he was a knowledgeable personality who valued time and had a strong grip over administration,” Shinde said, visibly emotional.
The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom across Maharashtra, with tributes pouring in from political, social and administrative circles. Shinde said he immediately decided to travel to Baramati after receiving the news of the crash.
Recalling their long association, Shinde lauded Pawar’s contribution to public life, noting that they had served together in different cabinets. He also recalled that Pawar was his deputy when he headed the Maharashtra government between 2022 and 2024. “We worked together for many years. He would begin work at the crack of dawn—I have personally seen him issuing instructions as early as six in the morning. He spoke only after thoroughly studying every issue. Though blunt by nature, at heart he was extremely pure,” Shinde said.
He added that Pawar’s role during cabinet discussions, especially on the state’s financial condition, was marked by realism and clarity. “He always presented the ground reality and suggested the right course. His experience, depth of study and command over administration were guiding lights for all of us,” Shinde noted.
The Deputy Chief Minister said he had met Pawar just a day or two earlier at a programme, making the loss even more difficult to accept. “This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state. I am feeling as if I have lost my elder brother,” he said, paying heartfelt tributes.
With Pawar’s demise, Maharashtra has lost a fearless, dynamic and experienced leader, whose work and administrative legacy, leaders across party lines said, will be remembered for years to come.
