Ajit Anantrao Pawar, one of Maharashtra’s most influential and longest-serving political leaders and the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, died on Tuesday morning in a tragic plane crash near Baramati. He was 66.
Pawar was travelling in a private business jet from Mumbai to Baramati when the aircraft reportedly veered off the runway during a second landing attempt and crashed, triggering a massive explosion. He and four to five others on board were killed in the accident. Aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
A Towering Figure in Maharashtra Politics
Ajit Pawar was serving as the 8th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, alongside Chief Minister Eknath Shinde under the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. With six non-consecutive terms as Deputy CM, he was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister in the state’s history, holding the post under multiple governments across party lines.
Known for his administrative grip and strong influence in western Maharashtra, Pawar played a decisive role in the state’s political landscape for over three decades.
Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R
Early Life and Political Rise
Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district, Ajit Pawar entered public life at a young age. He was the nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a four-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
After the early death of his father, Pawar discontinued his formal education to support his family. His political journey began in the cooperative sector, where he rose to prominence as chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank, a post he held for 16 years.
Electoral Success and Ministerial Roles
Pawar entered Parliament in 1991, winning the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. He later shifted focus to state politics and went on to represent the Baramati Assembly constituency seven times, retaining the seat continuously from 1991 to 2019 and again in 2024.
Over the years, he handled key portfolios such as Irrigation, Water Resources, Rural Development, Agriculture, Power, and Planning, serving under chief ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh, Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
Political Rebellion and Party Split
Ajit Pawar’s career saw dramatic political turns. In 2019, he briefly broke away from the NCP to form a government with the BJP, only to resign within days. He later returned to the NCP and became Deputy CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
In 2023, Pawar led a major split in the NCP, staking claim to the party’s name and symbol. In February 2024, the Election Commission of India officially recognised his faction as the Nationalist Congress Party, while the rival group led by Sharad Pawar was renamed NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
Controversies and Public Image
Pawar’s long career was not without controversy. Allegations related to irrigation projects, the Lavasa township, and financial irregularities were raised over the years, though none resulted in a conviction. He also faced public backlash in 2013 over an insensitive remark during a drought crisis, for which he later issued a public apology.
Despite criticism, Pawar remained an electorally strong leader and a skilled political strategist.
Personal Life and Legacy
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar. His death marks the sudden end of an era in Maharashtra politics.
Political leaders across party lines expressed shock and grief, describing him as a formidable administrator, mass leader, and one of the most consequential power centres in the state’s modern political history.
