Eknath Shinde pays tribute to late Ajit Pawar on birth anniversary
Synopsis
On what would have been Ajit Pawar's birthday, Eknath Shinde called him the irreplaceable architect of the Mahayuti coalition and pledged to honour his legacy by delivering the development agenda they had planned together — while Sunetra Pawar spoke of the heartbreak of marking a birthday as a jayanti.
Key Takeaways
Eknath Shinde paid tribute to the late Ajit Pawar on his birth anniversary on Wednesday in Mumbai .
Shinde called Pawar the architect of the Mahayuti alliance and said no one could fill the void he left.
He highlighted Pawar's expertise in finance, agriculture, and the cooperative sector as defining traits of his leadership.
Shinde said realising their shared development vision for Maharashtra is the most authentic tribute to Pawar.
Sunetra Pawar described the pain of observing her husband's birthday as a jayanti , calling him her lifelong pillar of strength.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also heads the Shiv Sena, on Wednesday paid an emotional tribute to the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on his birth anniversary, calling the day a poignant blend of celebration and grief. Shinde described Pawar as the principal architect of the Mahayuti alliance and said his absence had left a void that no one could fill.
Joy and Grief in Equal Measure
The occasion coincided with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's birthday, lending the day a bittersweet quality. “Today brings joy in one eye and tears in the other. No one can truly fill the void left by Ajitdada. I pray that Deputy Chief Minister Sunetratai finds the strength to carry forward his dream of building a prosperous Maharashtra by continuing the path of development he laid down,” Shinde said in a statement.
Remembering Pawar's Leadership
Shinde paid tribute to three defining traits that, he said, set Pawar apart as a public servant. He cited Pawar's administrative command — exceptional discipline and firm control over governance; his punctuality and commitment — a tireless dedication to utilising every moment for public service; and his deep expertise in finance, agriculture, and the cooperative sector, which was evident during his tenure as Finance Minister. Shinde noted that the state budget Pawar presented to fulfil Mahayuti's promises remains a cornerstone of inspiration for Maharashtra.
Unfinished Vision for Maharashtra
Reflecting on shared ambitions, Shinde said the two leaders had together envisioned numerous economic and social milestones for the state before Pawar's untimely passing. He argued that actively realising those development goals is the most authentic tribute the coalition can offer. Shinde also offered a poetic remembrance: “Days will come and go, the wheel of time will turn…But the fragrance of Dada’s memories will forever remain.”
Sunetra Pawar's Grief
Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late leader, spoke of the pain of observing what was once a joyous birthday as a jayanti — a death anniversary commemoration. “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, Dada,” she said. She described Ajit Pawar as her pillar of strength through every stage of life, adding that while he may no longer be physically present, his political legacy, public service, and discipline will remain immortalised.
The tributes signal that the Mahayuti coalition intends to keep Pawar's developmental agenda at the centre of its governance narrative going forward.
Point of View
The deputy CM is reinforcing the alliance’s continuity narrative ahead of future electoral cycles. Sunetra Pawar’s public statement, raw and personal, also signals that the Pawar family’s emotional capital remains embedded in the coalition’s identity. What is notably absent is any concrete policy announcement tied to the occasion — the tribute is rich in sentiment but thin on the specific milestones Shinde says the two leaders envisioned together. Whether those visions translate into a governance agenda, or remain rhetorical homage, will be the real test of the coalition’s commitment.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ajit Pawar and why is his birth anniversary significant?
Ajit Pawar was the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a senior NCP leader widely regarded as the architect of the Mahayuti alliance. His birth anniversary is being observed as a jayanti following his untimely passing, making it a day of political remembrance as much as personal mourning for his family and coalition partners.
What did Eknath Shinde say about Ajit Pawar's legacy?
Shinde described Pawar as an irreplaceable leader whose administrative discipline, punctuality, and expertise in finance, agriculture, and the cooperative sector set him apart. He said Pawar’s state budget remains a cornerstone of inspiration and pledged to fulfil the development vision they had jointly planned for Maharashtra.
What did Sunetra Pawar say on the occasion?
Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late leader, said her heart breaks at observing what was once a joyous birthday as a jayanti. She described Ajit Pawar as her lifelong pillar of strength and said his political legacy, public service, and discipline would remain immortalised even in his absence.
What is the Mahayuti alliance?
Mahayuti is the ruling coalition in Maharashtra comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction. Shinde credited Ajit Pawar as the alliance’s principal architect.
Why did the occasion carry a bittersweet quality this year?
Ajit Pawar’s birth anniversary coincided with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s birthday, prompting Shinde to describe the day as one that ‘brings joy in one eye and tears in the other.’ The dual occasion underscored the contrast between celebration and grief within the coalition.
