Vidarbha Netas Shun Party Lines To Mourn Ajitdada’s Demise

Nagpur: Vidarbha sank into collective mourning on Wednesday after Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash, triggering an extraordinary cross-party outpouring that underscored his political weight, administrative authority and personal reach across ideological lines.Union minister Nitin Gadkari was among the first leaders to react, calling the news "tragic and heartbreaking" and describing Pawar as a leader with "administrative acumen, a development-oriented vision and an unmatched ability to connect with people". Recalling years of association in the legislature, Gadkari said, "Pawar commanded an unshakeable place in Maharashtra politics", adding that the loss was "irreparable not just for the state but for the country".CM Devendra Fadnavis termed Pawar "a mass leader deeply rooted in the soil" and a close personal friend. "My bold and big-hearted friend is lost," Fadnavis said, calling the death a personal void that could never be filled. He cancelled all official engagements and left for Baramati, extending condolences to Pawar family, the Nationalist Congress Party cadre and the families of four others who also died in the crash.The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh expressed "deep sorrow", describing Pawar's death as "a major loss to Maharashtra's political and social life". Senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale called the accident "extremely unfortunate" and remembered Pawar's "long and impactful public life".Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said he was "shaken to the core", recalling Pawar's "lightning-fast decision-making" and unwavering focus on governance. "I lost not just a great leader but a close senior friend," he said, noting Pawar's role in guiding the coalition functioning through difficult phases.NCP working president Praful Patel termed the day "black for the party and the state". "Our pillar is gone," he said, describing Pawar as a tough decision-maker who shaped generations of party workers over more than three decades.MLC Abhijit Wanjari said, "We will always miss you Dada," recalling Pawar's discipline and wit. BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh called him a "dynamic, hardworking, outspoken leader", adding, "politics aside, my bond with Dada was thicker than blood — I lost a father figure." Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar remembered him as a "word-keeping, skilled administrator" who mentored him for 25 years: "Maharashtra lost a mass leader."Tributes reflected both political respect and personal loss. Chandrapur MP Pratibha Dhanorkar said Pawar stood "like an elder brother" during her husband's illness, arranging aid beyond politics: "His absence created an irreplaceable void."Former minister and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar called Pawar a skilled administrator and a forthright voice in politic. "When I entered the cabinet for the first time as a Minister of State, he mentored me, teaching the values of disciplined governance and administrative responsibility. Maharashtra has lost one of its tallest mass leaders," he said.Chandrapur guardian minister Ashok Uike called Pawar a fearless, open-hearted leader with vast administrative experience. Nagpur NCP district president Shrikant Shivankar said public life lost "a pillar", minister Ashok Uike remembered Pawar as a "fearless, open-hearted leader" with vast administrative experience, while minister of state Indranil Naik announced the cancellation of public programmes in Pusad as a mark of respect.Adding a more personal note, Hemant Gadkari, MNS general secretary, recalled working with Pawar during his tenure as chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank. "In decades of public life, I saw only two leaders who never compromised on time and discipline — Manohar Joshi and Ajit Pawar," he said, calling Pawar an enduring example for young politicians.Minister of state Indranil Naik and Mohini said it was extremely painful to know that a leader with clear and upright personality is no longer among us. Former minister and Ballarshah MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar sais Pawar placed humanity and public interest above politics, even amid differences of opinion. "Beyond politics, he was a warm, sensitive, and dependable friend who never allowed political differences to strain personal bonds," he said.Amravati MLA Sulbha Khodke said she felt orphaned today. "We have lost a supporter, a visionary leader, a skilled guide, and a fighter leader who worked tirelessly for Maharashtra's progress and prosperity," she said. "A stalwart in national politics has been lost. We have lost a strong and fearless leader," said MLC Sanjay Khodke. As tributes continued to pour in through the day, Vidarbha's political spectrum appeared united by a rare consensus: the sudden loss of a formidable leader whose imprint on Maharashtra's politics cut across party lines.