Seven hours in Mantralaya, 30 files cleared, pending salaries approved, and then silence as Ajit Pawar’s office stands empty the next morning
Closed doors at the deputy chief minister’s office on the sixth floor of Mantralaya after Ajit Pawar’s demise. Pics/Eeshanpriya MS
Ajit Pawar’s last day at the Mantralaya followed a familiar rhythm of duty and decision-making. According to the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office (DCMO), Ajit Pawar spent nearly seven hours at Mantralaya on Tuesday, chairing back-to-back meetings that included a police review, a state revenue review, the cabinet meeting, and discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Dressed in his trademark white kurta-pyjama, Pawar arrived at Mantralaya at 8.10 am.
A senior aide from the DCMO said Pawar was particular about punctuality and discipline.
“Sir has been particular about punctuality and timing for his work. I was here to greet him in his office and assist with his work as he was in and out of review meetings and the cabinet meeting,” the official said.
Deserted corridors at Mantralaya on Wednesday, as officials left for Baramati following the news of Ajit Pawar’s death
Pawar chaired a police briefing between 9 am and 9.30 am, followed by a detailed review of revenue collection across the state from 9.30 am to 11 am.
On Wednesday, the atmosphere at the DCMO office on the sixth floor of Mantralaya was starkly different.
The usually busy corridor stood deserted, with most officials having left for Baramati after news of Pawar’s death broke. Only a handful of staff remained behind, sitting quietly in a small room, watching the news unfold on television.
Pointing to a stack of files lying on a table, official said, “Sir had a hectic, as usual, day yesterday [Tuesday]. These were the last bunch of files he studied and approved. We just now pulled them out to see what our day was like yesterday.”
“We feel very sad and nostalgic,” the official added, tearing up and then breaking down in his office chair. Pawar signed over 30 files on Tuesday, according to information shared by the DCMO with mid-day on Wednesday afternoon.
Pointing to the top-most file on the pile with Ajit Pawar’s signature at the bottom of the first page, an official said, “We discussed how this one is likely the file he signed on. He wanted to review this issue and had asked for it at his official residence when he was leaving. It now has his signature.”
Pawar approved a significant amount authorising the release of salaries of Ashram school teachers pending for six months, the DCMO told mid-day, adding that it is Rs 350 crore. When asked for details about the final issue that received his stamp of approval, the official said in tears, “For you this is your work, but for me, I have lost my boss, who we looked up to and loved. This is a shock, and we are grieving. You can pursue decisions and information about work another day.” At the end of Wednesday, the file was sent to the finance department, from where funds are to be released, an official confirmed late on Wednesday.
Pawar left from Mantralaya for Devgiri, his official residence, at 3 pm on Tuesday, after meeting with the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“We did not expect today [Wednesday] to unfold this way. It should have been another day of work, as was routine,” one of the officials added. Pawar was scheduled to attend three rallies in Baramati and was then scheduled to leave for Pune. He was expected to return to his office in Mantralaya on
February 9.
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