The untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Dada Pawar in a tragic plane crash has plunged the state and the cooperative sector into deep mourning. Leaders, cooperative institutions and citizens across the country have expressed profound grief and paid heartfelt tributes to the veteran leader.
At the Maharashtra State Cooperative (MSC) Bank, a condolence meeting was held at its Mumbai headquarters, where Administrative Board Chairman Vidyadhar Anaskar, along with officials and employees, paid homage to Ajit Pawar.
Nitin Jadhav Patil, Chairman of Satara District Central Cooperative Bank, said Maharashtra had lost a guiding pillar of leadership and expressed his heartfelt tribute to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Dada Pawar.
Annasaheb Jolle, Founder Chairman of Shri Beereshwar Multi-State Credit Cooperative Society, said he was deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar, describing him as a visionary leader whose service to Maharashtra would always be remembered. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and followers.
Vivek Kolhe, Director of IFFCO, termed the loss as tragic and said Ajit Pawar valued social service and development, adding that his disciplined and straightforward approach to public life would always be remembered.
Geetanjali Uday Shelke, Chairperson of G.S. Mahanagar Bank, said a guiding leader, mentor and pillar of strength was no more. She noted that Ajit Pawar devoted himself tirelessly to public service while remaining deeply connected to family and colleagues, and said his passing leaves an irreplaceable void in Maharashtra’s politics and the cooperative movement.
Dr Sanjay Hosmath, Director of the Karnataka State Cooperative Credit Societies Federation, said Ajit Pawar was the heartbeat of the cooperative movement, successfully bridging grassroots farmers and state governance. He said his legacy would remain etched in rural India and conveyed condolences on behalf of Karnataka’s cooperative sector.
Former Maharashtra Minister for Cooperation and leader of Pune’s Sharad Sahakari Bank, Dilip Walse Patil, said the news was extremely difficult to believe. He remarked that with Ajit Pawar’s passing, a void had emerged in Maharashtra’s social and political landscape that could never truly be filled, and paid tribute to a leader who inspired trust and confidence across the state.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in his condolence message, recalled
Ajit Pawar’s long and impactful political career and said he played a significant role in strengthening cooperative institutions and advancing Maharashtra’s development.
IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani expressed shock and said the loss was irreparable for Maharashtra in general and the cooperative sector in particular. ICA Asia-Pacific President Dr Chandra Pal also conveyed his tributes. Former IFFCO Managing Director Dr U.S. Awasthi said Ajit Pawar’s contributions towards strengthening the cooperative sector would always be remembered.
