New Delhi, Jan 28 (NationPress) Political figures from various parties, ranging from the BJP to the Congress, have expressed profound sorrow following the tragic passing of Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). His unexpected demise has been characterized as "devastating and highly distressing."

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy shared his shock and sadness, stating, “The news of Ajit Pawar’s air crash is incredibly shocking for all of us. It's a sad and unfortunate event. In such weather conditions, pilots must exercise extreme caution. I extend my condolences and pray for strength for the bereaved family.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut reminisced about his long-standing connection with Ajit Pawar and the Pawar family. He noted, “We have known Ajit Pawar for many years. He was an outstanding leader—generous, sincere, and forthright. He spoke openly and moved on without deceit. He was always upbeat and a true leader of the workforce.”

“Uddhav Thackeray often remarked that among all ministers, Ajit Pawar was the most experienced and devoted. He consistently had a clear vision for Maharashtra's development. We have lost a leader of great caliber. Those in power today should learn from his example. Politics should not be hurried, as excessive competition can harm governance. Grassroots elections ought to be left to party workers. The current turmoil in Maharashtra politics and ongoing political maneuvering has led to unfortunate results,” Raut commented.

Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar from Uttar Pradesh described the incident as tragic, expressing solidarity with the grieving family. “This is a heartbreaking event. We pray for God to provide strength to the family in enduring this irreparable loss. During this sorrowful time, the Bharatiya Samaj Party and I stand with the family,” he stated.

Congress MP Imran Masood conveyed his sorrow, saying, “When the news of the plane crash first broke this morning, there was a glimmer of hope that perhaps he had survived. However, as videos began to circulate, it caused immense anguish. He was an energetic and dynamic leader, and this loss is exceedingly painful.”

Prasanna Acharya, the Deputy Leader of Opposition in Odisha, expressed that the news was unexpected and heartbreaking. “Ajit Pawar was not merely a leader of Maharashtra; he was a nationally recognized political figure. He played a pivotal role in the political evolution of Maharashtra and had a significant presence in the political landscape of India. His passing is a substantial loss for Maharashtra and a considerable setback for Indian politics,” Acharya stated.

Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP N. K. Premachandran described the incident as shocking and unfortunate. “It is truly distressing to learn of such a plane crash involving the Deputy Chief Minister and his team of officials. We must wait for the official report before addressing all concerns,” he said.

Senior advocate and former MP Majeed Memon expressed deep sorrow regarding the incident. “The news regarding the plane crash and the death of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with others, is devastating. Ajit Pawar was a proactive and dynamic leader. Despite facing criticism for his break with the main party, he remained resolute and served Maharashtra effectively as Deputy Chief Minister,” Memon said.

Recalling his long association with Ajit Pawar, Memon added, “I worked with Ajit Pawar for nearly 25 to 30 years, including close collaboration for about two decades since 2002. He was a unique politician—aggressive, dynamic, and steadfast in his beliefs. Even when faced with allegations related to his separation from the NCP and internal party disagreements, he consistently stood firmly by his convictions.”