Mumbai, July 9, 2026
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Legislature Party on Thursday requested the Maharashtra government to recommend the name of the late NCP National President and former Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, for the prestigious Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous) award.
NCP Chief Whip in the state Assembly Chetan Vitthal Tupe (Patil) has sent a letter on behalf of all NCP Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Legislative Council (MLCs) to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging immediate action.
The demand follows the tragic aircraft accident on January 28, 2026, near Baramati, which resulted in the untimely demise of the veteran leader.
In his official correspondence dated July 8, 2026, Tupe highlighted Pawar’s extensive six-term tenure as Deputy Chief Minister and his significant contribution to Maharashtra’s development.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Tupe confirmed that he had urged the Chief Minister to recommend the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous) award for former Deputy Chief Minister late Ajit Pawar.
The letter addressed to Chief Minister Fadnavis describes the late leader as a “firm administrator” and an “action-oriented leader” who ruled the hearts of the masses.
“As a long-serving Finance Minister, Ajit Pawar presented the state Budget a record number of times, steering revolutionary changes in regional infrastructure, roadways, metro connectivity and irrigation. He remained a primary pillar for Maharashtra’s farmers, driving direct financial relief during agrarian crises and strengthening the state’s cooperative banking and sugar sectors,” Tupe said.
Tupe further added that the NCP Legislature Party emphasised Pawar’s relentless efforts to ensure that state-sponsored welfare schemes reached the grassroots seamlessly.
Terming his sudden passing as “the end of an era”, the NCP leadership said that conferring India’s second-highest civilian honour posthumously upon ‘Ajitdada’ would be a matter of immense pride for the entire state. The party has urged the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra to expedite the formal recommendation proposal to the Central government.(Agency)
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