Mumbai, Feb 23 (NationPress) Former Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil remarked on Monday that the united NCP’s motto is 'Right decision at the right time,' but the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's only misstep was when he left us. During a condolence motion in the state Assembly, the NCP (SP) leader expressed, “We never anticipated he would break his promise and depart so abruptly. This is a significant loss for all, yet Baramati has been hit hardest. The entire region is in shock, and a detailed report on how this incident occurred must be presented.”

“A leader of Ajit Dada's caliber has been taken from us; I cannot fathom what misfortune befell him. Maharashtra looks to its leaders with great hope, and it raises questions about whether there is a pattern in their untimely departures — Vilasrao, Munde, R.R. Patil, and now Ajit Dada,” he continued.

“When history is penned down, numerous names will emerge in the realm of social work and politics, but it would be incomplete without acknowledging Dada,” Patil added.

Veteran NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal commented, “Emulating Sharad Pawar Saheb’s approach to engaging with the public, Ajit Dada believed that the opposition was not our enemy; we merely had differing opinions. He always operated with the mindset that they were not adversaries and offered help to everyone.”

“We all envisioned a day when Dada would ascend to the Chief Minister's office. Our party members shared this dream, yet suddenly, he has left us with so many tasks unfinished,” Bhujbal lamented.

He further remarked on Ajit Pawar's humility, stating, “Many take refuge under the vast shade of a banyan tree, yet we often do not realize its greatness until it is uprooted. That is the void we feel without Dada.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) Legislator Bhaskar Jadhav described Ajit Pawar as akin to a jackfruit—thorny on the exterior but exceptionally sweet and tender within.

“Ajit Dada was the backbone of Maharashtra. He remained indifferent to party lines, caste, sect, or religion, even amidst criticism. Today, this grand banyan tree of Maharashtra has been uprooted. His 'Brahma Kamal' (lotus) had blossomed at its peak. His voice resonated with strength, assertiveness, yet comfort, even though it had recently begun to falter,” he observed.

Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar praised Ajit Pawar as a leader who genuinely comprehended the people's issues. “In this political landscape, Ajit Dada was a visionary leader; he never practiced discrimination based on caste, religion, or sect. During the elections, when the slogan 'Batenge toh Katenge' emerged, Ajit Dada firmly stated that such tactics might work in the North, but not in Maharashtra. Even within the Mahayuti alliance, he was recognized as a leader who stood resolutely on his principles,” he noted.

Shiv Sena (UBT) minister Gulabrao Patil remarked, “The 'headmaster' of this House is no longer present. Just as a headmaster oversees all students, Dada looked after all of us. Such a 'Dada' (elder brother/leader) will not reappear. Many are called 'Dada' in local neighborhoods, but he had the authority to rein in arrogant officials with his commanding presence. Today, that chair feels notably vacant to us.”

Former Assembly Speaker Dilip Walse Patil and NCP minister Hasan Mushrif reminisced about Ajit Pawar’s governance style and his administrative prowess.

A Shiv Sena (UBT) Legislator expressed concerns, stating, “The people of the state harbor doubts regarding the plane crash. A thorough investigation is necessary.”

NCP (SP) Legislator and Ajit Pawar’s nephew Rohit Pawar reflected, “He was a figure everyone looked up to for inspiration, alongside Sharad Pawar.”

“Ajit Pawar embodied our pride and self-respect. On January 28, we all felt the weight of losing such a pillar. The sorrow the state endures parallels the grief our family experiences. He would ensure that MLAs like us communicated effectively and would address the issues we raised immediately. If a speech was commendable, he would commend it; if we stumbled, he would correct us,” he concluded.