<h2>Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief</h2>
<p><img title="Uddhav Thackeray" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/uddhav-pawar-dev-a_e.jpg" alt="Uddhav Thackeray" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>said political differences never came in the way of their personal equation. Thackeray said the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/ajit-pawar-death-its-an-accident-dont-bring-politics-into-it-says-ncp-sp-sharad-pawar-23614117" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">NCP</a> (Ajit Pawar faction) chief&rsquo;s decision to take a different path did not strain their relationship, and that he had lost a strong leader and an outstanding colleague.</p>
<h2>Raj Thackeray, MNS chief</h2>
<p><img title="Raj Thackeray" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/uddhav-pawar-dev-c_e.jpg" alt="Raj Thackeray" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>&lsquo;Ajit Pawar&rsquo;s departure marks the loss of an outstanding and capable leader for <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/who-will-present-state-budget-now-maharashtra-faces-fiscal-challenge-as-deputy-cm-ajit-pawar-passes-away-before-budget-session-23614149" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Maharashtra</a>, remembered as remarkably straightforward, free of caste bias, and firmly in command of administration.&rsquo;</p>
<h2>Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister</h2>
<p><img title="Devendra Fadnavis" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/uddhav-pawar-dev-b_e.jpg" alt="Devendra Fadnavis" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>remembered <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/ajit-pawar-death-mortal-remains-to-be-taken-out-in-rath-for-antim-yatra-today-23614181" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ajit Pawar</a> as a mass leader with a deep grassroots connect, saying his death was a personal and irreparable loss that had left him &ldquo;deeply distressed&rdquo;. &ldquo;I am numb and at a loss for words.&rdquo;&rsquo;</p>
<h2>Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister</h2>
<p><img title="Eknath Shinde" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/uddhav-pawar-dev-d_e.jpg" alt="Eknath Shinde" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>said Ajit Pawar&rsquo;s demise was a great loss to the state, describing him as a studious, courageous, and disciplined leader with a strong command over administration. &ldquo;He was like an elder brother and one who never hesitated to say no to schemes that would burden the state exchequer.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Sharad Pawar, NCP-SP founder</h2>
<p><img title="Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/uddhav-pawar-dev-e_e.jpg" alt="Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>said Maharashtra has lost one of the most efficient leaders. &ldquo;This is an irreparable loss. The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/ajit-pawar-death-autopsies-of-pilots-completed-after-baramati-plane-crash-bodies-handed-over-to-kin-23614186" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">plane crash</a> is purely an accident, and I urge people not to politicise this issue.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Supriya Sule, NCP-SP leader and cousin of Ajit Pawar</h2>
<p><img title="Supriya Sule" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jan/uddhav-pawar-dev-f_e.jpg" alt="Supriya Sule" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>broke down in tears while meeting family members in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/ajit-pawar-death-adr-filed-after-baramati-plane-crash-that-claimed-maharashtra-deputy-cm-four-others-23614184" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Baramati</a>. &ldquo;Devastated&rdquo;, she said in a one-word post on her social media handle.</p>

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