The pragmatic power broker who navigated the shifting tides of Maharashtra politics
In short: Known as 'Ajit Dada', Ajit Pawar was a fixture of Maharashtra's administration for decades. From cooperative sugar factories to the highest offices in the state, his career was defined by a blunt leadership style and an uncanny ability to hold influence across changing political coalitions.
Born in 1959 in Deollam Pravara, Ajit Pawar’s political ascent began in the cooperative sector. In 1982, he entered politics via a cooperative sugar factory board, and by 1991, he had become the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank, a position he held for 16 years. His early career was closely linked to his uncle, the four-time Chief Minister Sharad Pawar, and he eventually represented the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in 1991.
Pawar’s tenure in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was marked by significant longevity and frequent shifts in allegiance. From 2010 to 2026, his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister spanned over eight years, during which he worked alongside several premiers such as Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde. His career was also marked by high-profile political maneuvers, such as his 2019 defection from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to join a BJP-led government, and his later 2023 move to join the Maha Yuti coalition.
As a minister, Pawar managed critical portfolios including Irrigation, Water Resources, Finance, and Rural Development. He was noted for accelerating major projects within the state's irrigation departments. His political journey concluded following a fatal aviation accident on 28 January 2026. A 16-year-old Learjet 45XR, flying from Mumbai to Baramati, crashed while attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport, resulting in the deaths of Pawar and four others.
The political landscape of the NCP was fundamentally altered by his actions. In 2023, Pawar claimed the party presidency and symbol, a dispute that led the Election Commission of India to officially award the original party name and symbol to his faction on 7 February 2024. This left the faction led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar, to operate under the name Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadch．Pawar).
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ajit Pawar
- Also: Wikidata — Ajit Pawar · CC0
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