Six Times Ajit Pawar Demonstrated His Action-Oriented Leadership Approach
The late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in Baramati on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, was widely recognized for his brutally honest remarks regardless of the situation. His political career was marked by a distinctive hands-on approach that set him apart from many contemporaries. Here are six significant instances that vividly illustrate how he consistently put his principles into practice throughout his public life.
Penchant for Perfection and Cleanliness
Ajit Pawar's obsession with cleanliness and order was legendary within his party circles and family. At home, he never tolerated items being out of place, and those who witnessed his attention to detail recall how he would personally remove waste paper or meticulously rearrange flower vases to achieve perfect alignment. This commitment extended to public spaces as well. At Pawar's Vidhya Pratishthan in Baramati, if he spotted any wrapper or paper littering the pathway, he would immediately pick it up, often leaving students feeling both embarrassed and inspired by his example.
An anecdote from NCP(SP) working president Supriya Sule highlights this trait perfectly. She once noticed Ajit Pawar walking with a slight limp at the NCP headquarters. Upon inquiry, she discovered that he had been stretching his leg to push flower pots back into perfect alignment during his walk. Nothing that was out of place ever escaped his keen observation.
Military Precision in Punctuality
Known for his clockwork punctuality, Ajit Pawar frequently expressed disappointment when anyone arrived late, including senior bureaucrats and officials. He maintained strict protocols about appointments and disliked people barging into his cabin without prior scheduling. He once explained to senior journalists that keeping people waiting was fundamentally unfair, especially to those who traveled from distant locations for specific work. His famous refrain, "I don't like to keep people waiting," became a hallmark of his administrative style.
Going Beyond Opposition Duties
When Ajit Pawar assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2022, BJP-Shiv Sena ministers reportedly hoped he wouldn't ask too many probing questions. However, Pawar consistently surprised them by not just raising questions but providing comprehensive information and practical solutions across various departments. Unlike many opposition leaders who focus solely on criticism, he played a constructive role in the Lower House, demonstrating his commitment to governance beyond partisan politics.
Grooming Among Political Elites
Raised and groomed under the mentorship of his uncle Sharad Pawar, Ajit had been immersed in politics since his high school days. He once revealed how, in earlier years when his uncle was already well-established in politics, he would often walk with tea trays, personally serving distinguished guests at home. "In olden days it was not unusual for us to serve the guests. It was not left to servants," he recalled, highlighting the humble beginnings that shaped his political temperament.
Early Political Campaigning Experience
On another occasion, Ajit Pawar described how he and some rural friends campaigned vigorously for Sharad Pawar in Baramati during election seasons. "We took the job so seriously that my uncle actually won with a much higher margin," he revealed proudly. This early hands-on experience in grassroots campaigning instilled in him a deep understanding of electoral politics and constituency work that would define his later career.
Brutally Honest Social Commentary
Despite his aggressive political style, Ajit Pawar never projected himself exclusively as a Maratha leader, unlike some contemporaries such as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. During the peak of Maratha reservation agitations, he once admonished a group of affluent young activists, saying, "You are demanding reservation on the basis of economically backward status. That's acceptable. But shouldn't you exercise restraint when spending lakhs of rupees on weddings? Sometimes families even sell agricultural land to display power during marriage ceremonies. When will we seriously address these contradictions?" This characteristic bluntness reflected his willingness to address uncomfortable truths within his own community.
These six instances collectively paint a portrait of a leader who combined meticulous attention to detail with unwavering commitment to public service, leaving behind a legacy that transcended conventional political boundaries.
