Mumbai, 28 January – Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar passed away in a tragic plane crash near Baramati on Tuesday morning. All passengers on the aircraft, including Ajit Pawar, lost their lives. The news sent waves of grief through the state and the nation’s political circles.
Known as ‘Dada’ in Maharashtra politics, Ajit Pawar was recognised as a strong leader with a firm hold on both power and organisation. He began his political journey under the guidance of his uncle and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, gradually carving out his own distinguished identity in state politics.
Ajit Pawar was born on 22 July 1959 in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. He was the son of Anant Rao Pawar, elder brother of Sharad Pawar. His father worked at the renowned Rajkamal Studio. Ajit Pawar was married to Sunetra Pawar and had two children, Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar.
He completed his early education at Maharashtra Education Society High School in Baramati. After the death of his father during his college years, Ajit Pawar discontinued his studies and dedicated himself fully to politics.
Starting his political career in 1982 at the age of 20, Ajit Pawar first contested the board elections of a cooperative sugar mill. In 1991, he became the chairman of Pune Central Cooperative Bank, holding the post for nearly 16 years.
That same year, he won the Lok Sabha election from Baramati but later vacated the seat for his uncle Sharad Pawar, who then took on a central political role while Ajit Pawar focused on Maharashtra politics.
Ajit Pawar was first elected as an MLA from the Baramati assembly constituency in 1995. Since then, he won consecutive elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024, maintaining a strong connection with the region, regarded as a Pawar family bastion.
During his tenure in government, he handled key portfolios including agriculture, energy, planning, rural development, and water resources. He was also responsible for major projects such as the Krishna Valley and Konkan irrigation schemes.
He is credited with the development of Baramati, strengthening agricultural infrastructure, and promoting cooperative institutions. The public fondly called him ‘Dada’. In the 2024 elections, a notable contest within the family took place when Ajit Pawar defeated his nephew Yugendra Pawar by a significant margin.
Ajit Pawar was among the most frequent holders of the Deputy Chief Minister position in Maharashtra. His terms included November 2010 to September 2012, October 2012 to September 2014, November 2019, December 2019 to June 2022, July 2023 to 2024, and from December 2024 until his passing, serving alongside Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde.
In 2023, Ajit Pawar took a major political step by distancing himself from Sharad Pawar and extending support to the BJP-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government along with several NCP legislators.
His death marks a significant loss to Maharashtra’s political landscape and his long-standing contributions will be remembered.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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