Sachin Ahir was elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on 1 July, drawing effusive praise from senior Mahayuti leaders who described him as a versatile political figure and a stalwart of social service. The election marks a significant constitutional milestone for the Shiv Sena, which now holds the Deputy Chairman's post for the second consecutive time.

Shinde's tribute: 'Master Blaster of politics'

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulated Ahir with an extended cricket analogy, calling him the 'Master Blaster' of politics and social service. 'Every individual has a unique working style, but in Sachin Ahir, our team has found a true all-rounder. No matter who the bowler is or how fast the delivery, Sachin Ahir never stops hitting sixes,' Shinde said.

Drawing a direct parallel with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, Shinde added: 'Just as Sachin Tendulkar is a legend in cricket, Sachin Ahir is a stalwart in politics and social work. As one Sachin retired from cricket, the other Sachin has strapped on his pads of responsibility to begin a grand new innings.'

Shinde also honoured Ahir's composure with Urdu couplets: 'Jo toofanon mein shant rahe, use samandar kehte hain... Jo har dil par raj kare, use sikander kehte hain' — roughly translated as: 'The one who stays calm during storms is like the ocean... The one who rules every heart is a true conqueror.'

Ahir's political journey and social work

A three-time MLA and former Minister of State, Ahir is credited with never losing touch with ordinary citizens despite his political ascent. Shinde recalled that the party had supported Ahir as a Shiv Sena candidate in 2019, and affirmed that he remains a committed Shivsainik.

Shinde praised Ahir's social initiatives through Sankalp Pratishthan, which transformed the traditional Dahi Handi festival into a platform for medical camps and blood donation drives — an embodiment, Shinde said, of Balasaheb Thackeray's guiding principle of '80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics.' Notably, with Ahir's election, Shiv Sena holds the Deputy Chairman's post for the second time after Neelam Gorhe.

Sunetra Pawar recalls Ajit Pawar's early faith in Ahir

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar noted that the late Ajit Pawar had identified Ahir's leadership potential at an early stage and provided him significant political opportunities within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). She described the bond between the two as extending beyond politics, rooted in close family affection.

Even after Ahir moved to Shiv Sena, Sunetra Pawar said, he maintained consistent contact with Ajit Pawar while managing the party's organisation in Pune.

A call for impartiality from the chair

Council Chairman Ram Shinde congratulated Ahir and urged him to set aside his 'batsman's bat' and don the 'umpire's hat.' He expressed hope that Ahir would conduct House proceedings with balance, patience, and complete impartiality — ensuring equal justice to both the treasury and opposition benches.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde echoed this, advising Ahir that once seated in the chair, 'rules become greater than the party, traditions become bigger than emotions, and restraint becomes more powerful than voice.' He stressed that from that seat, political affiliations must recede and only the Constitution of B.R. Ambedkar and the principles of pure justice must guide proceedings.

With his unopposed election, all eyes will now be on how Ahir navigates a politically charged Maharashtra legislature as a constitutionally neutral presiding officer.