Mumbai, Jan 30 (NationPress) In its editorial featured in Saamana, the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) expressed that the exit of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will certainly alter the dynamics of Maharashtra's political environment.

"While his powerful supporters will be on the lookout for a new leader, they will inevitably never encounter another Dada, who has departed this world; his funeral rites were performed, and his remains were laid to rest in Baramati. His passing has profoundly impacted many lives — a natural reaction to the loss of a genuine people's leader," the editorial remarked.

It described Ajit Dada's political approach as pragmatic, marked by wisdom and empathy. "Unlike Sharad Pawar's party, which is composed of the influential and elite (watanadars), Dada navigated the intricate political landscape by uniting these powerful entities and guaranteeing their success. However, he had the remarkable ability to leverage that influence for the benefit of the everyday citizen," the Thackeray faction stated.

The editorial continued, "Ajit Dada has returned to the cosmos far too soon. While many who contribute little to society remain, the Almighty chose to take Maharashtra's cherished leader, leaving the state shrouded in sorrow. Thousands from all over Maharashtra gathered in Baramati to pay their last respects to him."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who previously accused Ajit Dada of being involved in a Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scandal, expressed in his tribute that Dada's premature passing is a loss that cannot be mended. He acknowledged that Dada's legacy will forever be tied to his substantial contributions towards Maharashtra's progress and the cooperative sector. PM Modi designated Home Minister Amit Shah as his special representative for the funeral, where Dada was honored with full state respect," the editorial noted.

The article pointed out that the irrigation scam accusations made by PM Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were entirely baseless. They could not substantiate any claims, yet they severely tarnished his reputation. The editorial suggested that had Dada not been ensnared by these fabrications, he might not have opted to forsake his "home" to switch allegiances.

“Even after aligning with the BJP, Ajit Dada never compromised his principles. He did not frequently travel to Delhi, nor did he regard Modi, Shah, or Fadnavis as his ultimate authority. He rejected the BJP’s divisive agenda and avoided engaging in divisive rhetoric involving 'Hindu-Muslim', 'India-Pakistan', or slogans like 'Batenge toh Katenge'," the editorial highlighted.

"During the Municipal Corporation elections, he disregarded the BJP’s preferences and forged a partnership with Sharad Pawar's party. He courageously showcased evidence of how Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad were exploited during the BJP's rule. When threatened that the irrigation scam investigations were still ongoing, he retorted strongly, asserting that he possessed files on the BJP's own irrigation frauds, specifically referencing a project in Purandar where tender amounts were allegedly inflated to redirect funds to party coffers," the party alleged in the editorial.

According to the editorial, Dada adhered to democratic principles and frequently voiced his concern over the absence of a Leader of Opposition in both Legislative Houses. He was an exceptional figure who would invite opposition leaders, such as Eknath Khadse, to official discussions to incorporate their insights into financial legislations. His generosity was well-known. He provided a seat from his own party’s allocation on the State Cooperative Bank board to opposition member Pandurang Phundkar. As Finance Minister, he demonstrated his largesse by allocating resources to opposition leaders and MLAs. He was witty, playful, yet sincere, often addressing the challenges of the underprivileged immediately, the editorial noted.

"Although he never endured the trials of imprisonment or physical hardship in politics, he capitalized on the opportunities that power offered to transform himself into a genuinely people-centric leader," the editorial concluded.