Yogesh Gole
In 1995, shortly after the Shiv Sena–BJP government took office for the first time in Maharashtra, I attended a press briefing as a trainee reporter during Ajit Dada Pawar, who was in his 30s, and Jayant Patil’s Marathwada tour. Even then, Ajit Dada carried the image of a highly dynamic leader; there was a palpable aura around him. Despite being in opposition for the first time, he appeared supremely confident and spoke of giving a tough fight to the ruling alliance. As we continued to cover his political journey over the years, his image as a fearless leader only grew stronger in my mind.
Elected first as a director of the Baramati Sugar Factory in 1982, serving briefly as a Baramati MP in 1991, and subsequently getting elected repeatedly from the Baramati Assembly segment, Ajit Dada proved to be virtually invincible in electoral politics. For most of his career, he remained in power and went on to become Deputy Chief Minister a record six times. Though he never occupied the top post, he was undoubtedly perfect chief ministerial material. In 2009, he came very close to donning the mantle, as the Nationalist Congress Party secured more seats than its alliance partner, the Congress. However, the party chose to sacrifice the CM’s post for better portfolios.
Ajit Dada was a forthright leader one who spoke straight from the heart, even impulsively. A workaholic to the core, he began his day at 6 am and worked late into the night. Administrative officials knew that if Dada was in their town, they had to be on their toes; an early-morning call from him was always a possibility.
His connect with the masses was unmistakable. During speeches, he would crack jokes, admonish or praise party activists with equal ease. In recent times, during press briefings, he would urge the media to ask questions related only to development, discouraging queries on others’ statements.
Ajit Dada had a deep understanding of and command over the State’s finances. Though he sometimes had to acquiesce to political compulsions, he remained sceptical of welfare schemes that led to wasteful expenditure.
It is exceedingly difficult to fill the void left by Dada’s loss. His superhuman energy, survival instincts, and mass popularity were unparalleled. You will always be missed, Dada. Yours is an exit far too soon.
(The writer is executive editor, Lokmat Times, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar).