The late deputy chief minister’s perceived rudeness was understood by those who worked closely with him as behaviour arising from impatience with delays and intolerance towards inefficiency

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar. File pic/Ashish Raje

From a distance, Ajit Pawar often came across as harsh, blunt, rushed, and unconcerned about how his words landed. However, politics is rarely understood from a distance. Those who worked closely with him saw a different man, impatient with delays, intolerant of inefficiency, and focused only on results. This gap between how he was perceived and how he functioned shaped his public life.

“Dadagiri” is usually criticised in society, and especially in politics. In Pawar’s case, however, it was often respected by those inside the system. Party workers, colleagues and bureaucrats did not see bullying. They saw firmness and quick decision-making. From the outside, the same behaviour often looked arrogant. This contrast followed him throughout his career.

Popularly referred to as “Dada” (elder brother), Pawar earned authority not through speeches or symbolism, but through action. He had little patience for political drama. What mattered to him was whether work got done. This practical style reassured insiders but unsettled those accustomed to softer politics, where promises are made to keep everyone happy, often without clear timelines or delivery mechanisms.

His reputation was built through small, everyday moments. During a visit to a new administrative building in Shirur, he noticed there were only six toilets, all on the ground floor.........

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