Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray Pay Emotional Tributes to Ajit Pawar, Recall a Disciplined Leader and Generous Political Colleague

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash, describing him as a steadfast leader, an able administrator, and an exceptional colleague whose absence has created a significant void in the state’s political leadership.

Recalling their time together in government, Uddhav Thackeray said Ajit Pawar played a crucial role when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was in power. “When I was the Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar was the Deputy Chief Minister and also handled the Finance portfolio. He was an extremely disciplined leader with a firm grip over his department and a deep understanding of financial administration,” Thackeray said. He noted that Pawar’s command over files, figures, and policy decisions was widely respected across party lines.

Thackeray said their professional association gradually evolved into a bond built on mutual respect. “We developed a special relationship as excellent colleagues. Ajit Pawar was open-hearted and straightforward. He spoke his mind clearly and never believed in prolonged bitterness. Even when he later chose a different political path, he ensured that our personal relationship did not break,” he added.

Calling Pawar a leader loved by his cadre, Thackeray said, “In Maharashtra, he was popularly known as ‘Dada.’ I never imagined he would leave us so early. He genuinely cared for his workers and stood firmly by them. His departure has created a vacuum in the state’s leadership. In every sense, he truly was ‘Dada.’ On behalf of myself, the Thackeray family, and the Shiv Sena, I offer my heartfelt tribute to him.”

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray also mourned the loss, calling Ajit Pawar an outstanding leader who left a lasting imprint on Maharashtra’s politics. Raj Thackeray said that although they entered politics around the same time, their personal acquaintance came later. “Yet, on the strength of sheer passion and dedication to public life, Ajit Pawar rose rapidly and decisively in Maharashtra’s political arena,” he said.

Raj Thackeray observed that while Ajit Pawar emerged from the political legacy of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, he gradually carved out an independent identity of his own. “He ensured that this identity reached every corner of Maharashtra. Even his political opponents would acknowledge the impact he made,” he noted.

Reflecting on the changing nature of Maharashtra’s politics during the 1990s, Raj Thackeray said urbanisation altered the character of many regions that remained politically rural but began facing increasingly urban issues. “Ajit Pawar had a complete grasp of this transition and possessed the skill to handle it adeptly. Pimpri-Chinchwad and Baramati stand as strong examples of his vision. In both regions, he brought about transformation that even critics cannot deny,” he said.

Raj Thackeray praised Pawar’s administrative acumen, describing him as a leader who understood exactly where a bureaucratic process needed intervention. “He knew where to untangle knots in a file to get work done. At a time when administration should rise above political power, it is extremely tragic that Maharashtra has lost such a leader,” he remarked.

He also highlighted Pawar’s frankness, saying, “Ajit Pawar was remarkably straightforward. If something could not be done, he would say so clearly. If it could be done, he would put his full energy into it. Making empty promises or surrounding himself with crowds was never his style. Straightforwardness comes at a cost in politics, and Ajit Pawar paid that price with courage.”

Another quality Raj Thackeray deeply admired was Pawar’s rejection of caste-based politics. “Caste had absolutely no place in his political thinking. Leaders who have the courage to rise above caste considerations are becoming rare today, and Ajit Pawar stood at the forefront among them,” he said.

He concluded by stressing the importance of healthy political opposition, stating that disagreements should remain political, not personal. “The departure of generous opponents from public life is a major loss to Maharashtra’s rich political tradition,” Raj Thackeray said, adding that the MNS and his family stand in solidarity with the Pawar family during this time of grief.

Both leaders’ tributes underscored Ajit Pawar’s enduring legacy as a decisive administrator, a mass leader, and a politician respected even by rivals—an influence that will be felt long after his passing.