Ajit Pawar

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Ajit Pawar
File:Shri Ajit Anantrao Pawar.jpg


Pawar in 2024

Office 8th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra





Term start Template:Start date
Term end Template:End date
Predecessor Devendra Fadnavis
Successor Sunetra Pawar

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Ajit Pawar
Office 8th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra








Predecessor Devendra Fadnavis
Successor Himself



















Born 1959-07-22
Born Deolali Pravara, Bombay State, India
Died Template:Death date and age
Place of death Baramati, Maharashtra, India



Political party Nationalist Congress Party
Spouse Template:Marriage
Children Parth Pawar (son)
Jay Pawar (son)


Occupation Politician
Website Template:URL

Ajit Anantrao PawarTemplate:Efn (22 July 1959 – 28 January 2026) was an Indian politician who served as Maharashtra's longest-serving deputy chief minister for more than eight years, between 2010 and his death in 2026, for six terms.[1][2] He held the office under various governments, including the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.[3]

He also served as the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 2022 to 2023 and represented Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in 1991.[4]

Early life

Template:See also Ajit Anantrao Pawar[5] was born on 22 July 1959 in Deolali Pravara, Maharashtra,[6][7] to Anantrao and Ashatai Pawar.[8] In 1985,[9] he married Sunetra Pawar (née Patil), the sister of Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, a senior NCP leader.[10][11] The couple had two sons, Parth and Jay Pawar.[12]

Pawar's grandparents were Govindrao Pawar and Shardabai Pawar.[13] Shardabai was active in the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP). In 1938, she was elected unopposed to the Pune Local Board.[13]

The couple had eleven children, including seven sons and four daughters.[13] One of their sons, Sharad Pawar, later became the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and served as the four-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra.[13]

Following the footsteps of his uncle Sharad Pawar in the Indian National Congress,[14] Ajit Pawar made his first foray into politics in 1982 when he was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory. In 1991, he was elected as the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank and remained in the post for the next 16 years.[15]

Political career

Pawar was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1991 from the Baramati Parliamentary constituency. He later vacated the seat for his uncle, who then became the Defence Minister in Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao's government.[16] Pawar was known for his blunt and pragmatic leadership style, nicknamed "Ajit Dada".[17][18]

Later, he was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly seven times from the Baramati Assembly constituency. He first won in a 1991 by-election and subsequently retained it for five consecutive terms in 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014.[19][20][21] He served as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Power in CM Sudhakarrao Naik's government from 1991 to 1992.[22]

He became the Minister of State for Soil Conservation, Power and Planning in 1992 when Sharad Pawar became the Chief Minister. In 1999, as part of the INC-NCP coalition government, he became a Cabinet Minister responsible for the Irrigation Department. He was additionally given the Rural Development Department in 2003 as part of Sushilkumar Shinde's cabinet.[22] After the INC-NCP coalition won in the 2004 Assembly elections, he retained the Water Resources Ministry in Deshmukh's and later Ashok Chavan's cabinets.[23]

Ajit Pawar has gained extensive experience in the administration of Maharashtra by working in various important positions. In particular, as Deputy Chief Minister, he played an important role in the administration of the state many times. As Finance Minister, he also had experience in handling the state budget. He also accelerated the implementation of many major projects while working in the Irrigation and Water Resources Department. This experience gave him a strong grip on the decision-making process in the administration and his ability to give impetus to development works is evident in his leadership.

Leader of Nationalist Congress Party

Rebellion against Sharad Pawar

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On 23 November 2019, he defected from NCP and joined a government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and became the Deputy Chief Minister.[24][25] He submitted a paper with the signatures of NCP's MLAs to the Governor to prove the government's majority. However, the government collapsed less than 80 hours later and he resigned alongside then-CM Devendra Fadnavis. He subsequently returned to the NCP, and on 1 December 2019, it was announced that he would take over as Deputy CM for the Maha Vikas Aghadi government after the start of the winter session of the state legislature on 16 December.[26]

In 2022, due to a split in the Shiv Sena, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government collapsed. After the rebel Shiv Sena faction and BJP formed a government with Eknath Shinde as CM, Pawar became the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.[27]

2023 party split

In 2023, having the support of the majority of the erstwhile NCP's MLAs, he also claimed the position of president of the NCP, as well as the party's name and its electoral symbol.[28][29] Pawar joined the ruling Maha Yuti coalition and took the oath as deputy CM of the state on 2 July. On 7 February 2024, the Election Commission Of India (ECI) awarded the party name and symbol to the faction headed by Ajit. The faction led by Sharad Pawar will be henceforth known as Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).[30][29] Despite his faction being routed in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, his NCP placed in third in the 2024 Legislative Assembly election, with the Maha Yuti alliance forming a landslide majority government; Pawar was again sworn-in as deputy chief minister in December, tasked with portfolios such as finance. The party also performed well in the 2025–26 Maharashtra local elections. Months before his death, reconciliation talks between the two NCP parties were reportedly occurring.[31][32] His wife, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, succeeded him as the deputy chief minister.

Death

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On 28 January 2026, at approximately 08:44 IST (UTC+5:30), a business jet carrying Pawar on an air charter flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to Baramati Airport in Maharashtra crashed while attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport Runway 11. The aircraft veered off the runway, burst into flames, and was destroyed on impact, resulting in the deaths of Pawar and four others on board.[33][34][35][36][37]

The aircraft was a 16-year-old Learjet 45XR, registration VT-SSK, operated by VSR Aviation.[38][39]

At the time of the incident, Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address multiple public meetings in connection with the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.[40] The Maharashtra government declared a three-day state of mourning following his death; his funeral was held in Baramati on 29 January, with full state honours. His body was cremated.[41][42]

Electoral history

Election candidature history
Election Year Party Constituency Opponent Result Margin
Lok Sabha 1991[43] Template:Party name with color Baramati Template:Party name with color Kanta Nalawade Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly 1991^[44] Template:Party name with color Baramati Template:Party name with color K.H.Khanderao Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
1995[45] Template:Party name with color Template:Party name with color Kakade Ratanrao Bhagwanrao Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
1999[46] Template:Party name with color Template:Party name with color Taware Chandrarao Krishnarao Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
2004[47] Template:Party name with color Template:Party name with color Popatrao Mansingrao Tupe Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
2009[48] Template:Party name with color Template:Party name with color Taware Ranjankumar Shankarrao Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
2014[49] Template:Party name with color Template:Party name with color Prabhakar Dadaram Gawade Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
2019[50] Template:Party name with color Template:Party name with color Gopichand Padalkar Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2
2024[51][52][53] Template:Party name with color Template:Party name with color Yugendra Pawar Template:Yes2 Template:Yes2

References

Explanatory notes

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Citations

  1. ↑ In Ajit Pawar's Shock Switch, A Sharad Pawar Question Ahead of 2024. NDTV.
  2. ↑ Ajit Pawar breaks records as deputy CM, but his long quest for the top job remains unfulfilled. The Hindu(2024-12-05). Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  3. ↑ Six-time deputy, never the CM: 'CM in waiting' Ajit Pawar's long tryst with politics. MoneyControl(5 December 2024).
  4. ↑ Ajit Pawar new Opposition leader in Maharashtra assembly | India News. The Times of India(4 July 2022).
  5. ↑ 'Ajit Pawar's Faction Is NCP': EC Directs Sharad Pawar To Claim A New Name. The Quint(6 February 2024).
  6. ↑ Ajit Pawar, the power broker who dominated Maharashtra politics. Maktoob Media(28 January 2026).
  7. ↑ Ajit Pawar dies at 66: How he shaped Maharashtra politics over the decades, Agarwal, Rishika. Business Standard(28 January 2026).
  8. ↑ Sharad Pawar To Supriya Sule: Ajit Pawar's Family Tree. NDTV(29 January 2026).
  9. ↑ Will Ajit's wife Sunetra emerge as the new Pawar centre of NCP?, Singh, Anand. India Today(28 January 2026).
  10. ↑ Sunetra Pawar: The reluctant politician set to carry forward husband Ajit Pawar's legacy, Shaikh, Zeeshan. The Indian Express(30 January 2026).
  11. ↑ Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra takes oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Kumar, Vivek(31 January 2026).
  12. ↑ Who is Sunetra Pawar? A look at Ajit Pawar's wife, sons and family tree. Hindustan Times(29 January 2026).
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 How Ajit Pawar reshaped the Pawar dynasty, Shaikh, Zeeshan. The Indian Express(28 January 2026).
  14. ↑ Ajit Pawar. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  15. ↑ Ajit Pawar: 'Forever deputy CM' is ultimate survivor of churning in Maharashtra politics. The Economic Times(5 December 2024).
  16. ↑ The angry, young Pawar, Kher, Swatee. The Indian Express(30 September 2012).
  17. ↑ https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ajit-pawar-dies-ajit-pawar-plane-crash-baramati-witnessed-ajit-pawars-rise-and-tragic-end-10898798
  18. ↑ Obituary: Ajit Pawar, the mercurial leader who stepped out of his uncle's shadow.
  19. ↑ Baramati stays with Ajit Pawar. The Indian Express(20 October 2014). Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Baramati Vidhan Sabha Chunav Results Live Updates: बारामती में 1,65,265 वोटों से जीते एनसीपी के अजित पवार, भाजपा प्रत्याशी को हराया. India TV Hindi(24 October 2019). Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  21. ↑ Surprise, surprise: Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as Maharashtra CM, Ajit Pawar Dy CM. India Today(23 November 2019). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. maharashtrasadan.maharashtra.gov.in. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  23. ↑ People facing draft charges can join BJP and get clean, the party is 'washing machine' : Sharad Pawar. The New Indian Express(7 March 2024). Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  24. ↑ Tough times ahead for Sharad Pawar after BJP lures away Ajit Pawar in NCP split, Tirodkar, Amey. Frontline(12 July 2023). Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  25. ↑ Ajit Pawar: पहाटेच्या शपथविधीपूर्वी काय घडलं होतं? अजित पवारांनी घटनाक्रम .... Times Now Marathi(5 July 2023). Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  26. ↑ Ajit Pawar to be deputy CM after winter session begins. The Times of India(2 December 2019). Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  27. ↑ Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister after Ajit Pawar ditches uncle Sharad Pawar. The Hindu(23 November 2019). Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  28. ↑ Maharashtra NCP Ajit Pawar.... The Wire. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 A. Deputy... Maharashtra. The Hindu(2 July 2023). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  30. ↑ Sharad Pawar faction gets new name day after Ajit camp declared 'real' NCP. Express News service. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  31. ↑ Ajit Pawar: Grief and shock over politician's death in plane crash.
  32. ↑ Who was Ajit Pawar, the Indian politician killed in plane crash?.
  33. ↑ Ajit Pawar: Deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state dies in plane crash. www.bbc.com(28 January 2026). Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  34. ↑ Ajit Pawar's Flight Crash in Baramati dist Pune(28 January 2026). Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  35. ↑ Ajit Pawar Passed Away: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister dies in plane crash near Baramati. Lokmat(28 January 2026). Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  36. ↑ Air charter crash in India's Maharashtra kills key state leader(28 January 2026). Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  37. ↑ Ajit Anantrao Pawar (1959–2026): Former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Passes Away. Telugu Vaadi TV(28 January 2025). Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  38. ↑ Ajit Pawar death news updates: Maharashtra deputy CM dies in Baramati crash, DGCA confirms(28 January 2026). Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  39. ↑ VT-SSK – Learjet 45XR. Flightradar24. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  40. ↑ Ajit Pawar, 4 others killed in plane crash in Baramati: What we know so far, Wable, Omkar. India Today(28 January 2026). Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  41. ↑ State mourning after Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Are banks in Maharashtra closed on Thursday?.
  42. ↑ Veteran Indian politician Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash, leaving power vacuum.
  43. ↑ https://eci.gov.in/files/file/4121-general-election-1991-vol-i-ii/?do=download&r=9764&confirm=1&t=1&csrfKey=6fdbcc3fe6a2e2fce996db3722892e72
  44. ↑ Details of Bye Elections from 1952 to 1995. old.eci.gov.in. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  45. ↑ Statistical Report on General Election, 1995 to the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra. Election Commission of India.
  46. ↑ Statistical Report on General Election, 1999 to the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra. Election Commission of India.
  47. ↑ IndiaVotes AC: Maharashtra 2004.
  48. ↑ General Elections to State Legislative Assembly 2009. Chief Eletoral Officer, Maharashtra.
  49. ↑ Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Election, 2014. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  50. ↑ General Election to Vidhan Sabha Trends & Results Oct-2019. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  51. ↑ Maharashtra Elections 2024: 14 candidates win by over 1 lakh votes, all from Mahayuti(23 November 2024). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  52. ↑ Maharashtra election results: These candidates have won by biggest margins so far(23 November 2024). Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  53. ↑ Maharashtra Assembly election results 2024 | Who won in Pune?(23 November 2024). Retrieved 12 December 2024.

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