Eknath Shinde Honors Ajit Pawar's Legacy, Commits to Development Goals
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Mumbai, February 23 (NationPress) In a heartfelt address, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday honored the memory of the late Ajit Pawar in the Legislative Council, expressing that the leader's departure has left countless citizens feeling "orphaned."
During a condolence motion in the midst of the budget session, Shinde spoke about the significant personal and political gap created by the sudden loss of the esteemed leader.
“Dada, the public's judgment has revealed that many of your political decisions were indeed wise. Yet, your choice to depart from this world is a grave error. Please reconsider and come back,” he said during the memorial.
With determination, he stated, “We will transform Dada's motto -- ‘No more delays in development; Maharashtra will not be halted’ -- into a reality,” underscoring that realizing Pawar’s vision for progress would be the most genuine tribute to him.
Reflecting on their political collaboration, Shinde remarked, “Devendra ji, Ajit Dada, and I forged a robust ‘Triangle of Stability’ for our state. Thanks to our unity, the ‘geometry’ and advancement of Maharashtra were accelerating. The tragic day of January 28 took our foundation from us. Dada was never late, but that day, fate played a cruel trick. Watching that accident on TV sent chills through me.”
Commending Pawar's authoritative governance, Shinde noted his extraordinary ability to assess files in mere seconds and identify errors, often reprimanding officials for minor oversights like exposed wiring or inadequate infrastructure.
Shinde highlighted Pawar's remarkable achievement of presenting the state budget eleven times while maintaining balanced finances, even with an allocation of Rs 46,000 crore for the Ladki Bahin scheme.
“Dada was tough on the outside, much like a jackfruit, but possessed a gentle heart within,” he expressed.
Sharing a personal anecdote, Shinde recounted a meeting at a hotel during discussions on leadership transitions, where Pawar confidently stated, “If it’s Eknath Rao, we can accept it.”
The Deputy CM also remembered Pawar's brotherly advice to him, cautioning him to avoid working late nights and to prioritize his health.
Offering his support to Sunetra Pawar, he said, “Tai, even while enduring grief as vast as the sky, you remain steadfast. Both of us brothers are firmly behind you. Achieving the development goals Dada envisioned will be the truest homage to him.”