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.