Ajit Dada’s swag of bespoke clothes & sunglasses matched his penchant for discipline

Kolhapur: Precision of appearance, strict personal habits and a penchant for cleanliness set Ajit Pawar apart from his contemporaries. He was a workaholic with an unusually controlled and methodical way of living, earning him love from both supporters and critics:The leader's personality beyond politics stood out for its discipline and exacting preferences.He was known to be choosy about what he wore — especially sunglasses. The brands varied from the Maybach collection to the regular Ray Ban. The lenses were almost always thick, dark and gradient, sometimes delicate and often with thick frames. He was similarly picky about watches and clothes. He changed his look according to the occasion. Appearing in safari suits and boots during assembly sessions and around budget presentations became a talking point. He would ditch his traditional kurta pajamas and turn noticeably formal and bureaucratic when he visited New Delhi to meet the Prime Minister or take part in GST Council meetings as the state finance minister.It was at a young age that Ajit Dada decided to steer clear of alcohol and tobacco, not hesitating to advise others to do the same. In fact, he would caution the late RR Patil to stop chewing tobacco, since it could lead to cancer — words eerily prophetic after Patil's passing.His insistence on cleanliness was equally well known. He said staying neat and tidy and ensuring the workplace and home were clean were inborn traits. In an interview, Ajit Pawar spoke about his meticulous habits that came to him naturally. "Since school, I would keep my books neatly on the shelf. I would fold my clothes properly and keep footwear in its designated spot. I would clean my bicycle regularly. My first bike was a Rajdoot with registration number 1965. I like pens, watches and sunglasses. I wear different types of clothes and accessories. Fortunately, I can afford it," he said. He often said only "Parmeshwar" knew why he was like this.Minister Hasan Mushrif once said he avoided inviting Ajit Pawar to his house in Kagal since he would notice dust on top of a television set or behind a sofa! "We became ministers together for the first time in 2004 and I knew him since then. He was very strict about cleanliness. If he visited you and saw dirty clothes lying around or dust, he would insist that it be cleaned. Also, he had great acumen for architecture, and would point out faults in the structure and arrangements," Mushrif said.Ajit Pawar was particular about the quality and aesthetics of public buildings and would keenly watch where public money was being spent.Meanwhile, in an interview with veteran journalist Vijay Chormare, the leader said Pawars lacked laziness. "Waking up early in the morning and starting work was what we were taught. The word lazy is missing from our dictionary. We don't believe in afternoon naps. I have stayed away from addictions and stood firm on my decision," he said.Mushrif said Ajit Pawar liked to eat Kolhapuri mutton and Tambda Pandhara rassa. However, he was health conscious and would watch his portions. He enjoyed good vegetarian food before he went to bed at night, only to wake up at the crack of dawn and return to work.