‘I wish time had stopped’: Ajit Pawar’s son Jay Pawar’s note as Maharashtra navigates grief and power shift

Maharashtra is still coming to terms with the sudden death of former deputy chief minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar. Amid the shock and the fast-moving political realignments that followed, a deeply personal message from his son Jay Pawar has struck an emotional chord online.

Jay Pawar shared two photographs with his father on his WhatsApp status. The message was brief, raw, and unfiltered by public language. “I miss you so much. Dad, I wish time had stopped; I would have held you in a tight hug and stayed like that forever. Missing you a lot, Dad!”

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A screenshot of the status has since gone viral on social media.

A low-profile heir in a high-voltage moment

Jay Pawar has largely stayed away from the spotlight. He has worked within the family’s cooperative-linked businesses and has supported the NCP during Lok Sabha, Assembly, and recent municipal elections. Party workers in Baramati often describe him as media-shy and inclined to keep a low profile.

That reserve has only sharpened the impact of his message. At a time when political reactions have dominated headlines, Jay’s words cut through with their simplicity.

Grief, succession, and a swift political reset

Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash in Baramati triggered immediate political churn within Maharashtra and the NCP. The family, even as it mourned, was pushed into the centre of unfolding decisions.

His wife, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, was sworn in as the state’s deputy chief minister. She was also given charge of the ministries earlier held by her husband, including Excise, Sports, and Minority Development.

On Monday, Sunetra Pawar visited Karad to pay tribute at the memorial of Yashwantrao Chavan before returning to Baramati. On Tuesday, she is scheduled to be at the family residence, ‘Sahyog’, in Katewadi, where condolence visits will be accepted until 4 pm.

Speaking earlier, Sunetra Pawar framed her new role as a continuation of her husband’s political philosophy. “Respected Ajitdada has given the mantra of living one’s entire life for farmers, labourers, women, youth, and deprived sections…” she said, adding that she would carry forward his ideals rooted in “Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar”.

She also acknowledged the personal cost. “Though the untimely passing of Dada has caused a mountain of sorrow to crash upon my heart…” she said, pointing to public trust and duty as the strength guiding her forward.