Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 22 July paid tribute to the late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on his birth anniversary, honouring his contributions to the state's development and his decades of public service. Pawar, who was born on 22 July 1959 in Deolali Pravara, Ahilyanagar, passed away in 2026 after serving as Maharashtra's longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister across six terms spanning more than eight years.

PM Modi's Tribute

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Remembering Shri Ajit Pawar Ji on his birth anniversary. His service to society and contribution to Maharashtra's development were noteworthy. He was widely respected by all sections of society. The NDA Government in the state is working tirelessly to realise his vision.' The tribute underscored Pawar's cross-party standing — a rare acknowledgement from the Centre for a leader who spent much of his career in opposition politics.

Maharashtra Leaders Remember Pawar

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took to X to pay his respects, describing Pawar's leadership as 'visionary, inclusive, and people-centric' and crediting him with making a lasting contribution to Maharashtra. Fadnavis went further in a separate statement, noting that Pawar had taught him how to nurture party workers, maintain administrative discipline, and commit every moment to public work.

'How to nurture workers, how to be punctual, how to spend every moment of the day in work, and at the same time maintain a grip on administration — Ajit Pawar has taught lessons on many such matters,' Fadnavis said. He added that Pawar's deep understanding of farmers' issues, agricultural challenges, and cooperative sector problems remained unmatched, and that fulfilling Pawar's vision of a 'happy and prosperous Maharashtra' would be the truest tribute to him.

Sunetra Pawar's Emotional Remembrance

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's widow, shared a deeply personal tribute on social media. 'For so many years, I celebrated your birthday with such joy, enthusiasm, and pride. The home and family would be filled with happiness, showers of blessings all around. But today, observing this very same day as your jayanti, my heart breaks completely from within. Even today, my heart refuses to accept this bitter truth,' she wrote.

She added: 'Today, as I mark this day of yours, my heart squeezes in pain; the tears in my eyes refuse to stop. Dada, even if you're no longer with me physically today, your thoughts, your memories, your spirit of service toward people, your discipline, and the love you gave will live on forever in every breath, every fibre of my being.'

Pawar's Political Legacy

A former chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Ajit Pawar served as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister for more than eight years across six terms between 2010 and his death in 2026 — a record in the state's political history. As Finance Minister, he was credited with steering the MahaYuti government's budgetary commitments. His command over Maharashtra's cooperative sector and agrarian economy was widely acknowledged across party lines. The outpouring of tributes on Wednesday reflects the extent to which his absence continues to be felt in Maharashtra's political and administrative landscape.