NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule paid an emotional tribute to her late brother and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Raksha Bandhan, sharing cherished memories and photographs from their time together.
Sule posted a collection of old pictures on X, including photographs from earlier Raksha Bandhan celebrations. In the images, she can be seen tying a rakhi to Ajit Pawar, with the siblings sharing warm and candid moments.
In a heartfelt message addressed to her brother as ‘Dada’, Sule reflected on how different the festival felt in his absence. She recalled the shock of losing him and said she continues to struggle with the reality of his death.
“Today is Raksha Bandhan… but this time, you’re not with us, and this realisation is making my heart deeply restless,” Sule wrote.
She also remembered their childhood, recalling the disagreements, affection and moments of pride they shared while growing up together. According to Sule, the bond between the siblings was strengthened by the years they spent together as a family.
The NCP (SP) leader said that a part of her still imagines Ajit Pawar returning home so that she could once again tie a rakhi on him and spend time with him and the rest of the family.
Sule further wrote, “The void created by your absence can never be filled,” while expressing hope that her brother’s love and blessings would continue to guide her.
Ajit Pawar’s Death in Plane Crash
Ajit Pawar died on January 28, 2026, after the Learjet 45 aircraft carrying him crashed while approaching Baramati Airport in Maharashtra’s Pune district. The crash claimed the lives of all five people aboard the aircraft, including Pawar, his security officer, a flight attendant and two pilots.
Pawar was serving as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister at the time of his death. His demise led to widespread mourning across the state, with political leaders, supporters and members of the public paying tribute to him.
Sule’s Raksha Bandhan tribute comes seven months after the crash, as she revisited memories of her brother and their longstanding sibling bond.
