Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a key political figure in the state, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, alongside four others when their VT-SSK Learjet 45 crash-landed in Baramati, Pune district. He was 66 years old.
The aircraft, which was carrying Pawar, a security officer, an attendant, and two pilots, was attempting a second landing when the accident occurred, as reported by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Flightradar.
A prominent leader from Baramati and a significant force in Maharashtra’s politics, Ajit Pawar had a substantial impact across various governments. Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district, he was the son of Anantrao Pawar and the elder brother of Sharad Pawar, commonly referred to as “Dada.”
Pawar began his political journey under the guidance of his uncle, Sharad Pawar, entering politics in 1982 with his election to a sugar cooperative organization. He served as Chairman of the Pune District Co-operative Bank from 1991 to 2007. In 1991, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati but later vacated the seat for Sharad Pawar, ultimately winning elections to the Maharashtra Assembly in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014.
His education included time abroad; he completed his secondary schooling in the United States, obtained a GCSE in the United Kingdom, and passed his SSC under the Maharashtra State Board. Before fully committing to politics, he worked as a social worker in Baramati, building local connections that would later solidify his political base.
Over the years, Pawar evolved from being seen as his uncle’s heir to becoming a powerful political player, recognized for his adeptness in handling numbers, bureaucracy, and rural Maharashtra. He held crucial positions, including Minister of State for Agriculture and Power (1992–1993), Minister of Water Resources (covering Krishna Valley & Konkan Irrigation for three terms), and Deputy Chief Minister from 1991 to 1995, again from 2009 to 2014, and ultimately from 2019 to 2026.
His repeated returns to the influential Deputy Chief Minister role showcased his personal strength and his skill in maneuvering through Maharashtra’s often unstable political environment. He adeptly managed shifting alliances, engaged in coalition talks, and maintained his influence across various parties, making him a pivotal figure regardless of the ruling party.
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His career was not without its share of controversies.
Ajit Pawar faced ongoing allegations regarding irrigation projects during his time as water resources minister in the 2000s, with critics citing cost overruns and procedural irregularities in significant dam and canal projects. This led to audits and investigations by various oversight and anti-corruption agencies over the years, although none resulted in a criminal conviction against him, with many probes closing or remaining inconclusive.
His public statements also drew criticism. In the early 2010s, especially during drought and agrarian distress, he made several candid remarks, including comments that were viewed as dismissive of farmers’ struggles, such as the notorious April 2013 “urinate in the dam” remark. These statements, along with occasional confrontations with critics and officials, triggered political backlash and media scrutiny. He later issued an apology in the Maharashtra legislature, clarifying that his remarks were not meant to offend anyone.
Despite these controversies, Pawar remained a formidable electoral force in Baramati and retained considerable influence in Maharashtra’s cooperative and sugar-belt politics.
A significant turning point came in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar led a splinter group from the NCP, aligning with the BJP-led coalition and marking a formal split in the party founded by Sharad Pawar.
This move reshaped Maharashtra’s political landscape and changed dynamics within both the ruling alliance and the Opposition.
In the late 2024 Assembly elections, Pawar successfully held onto his Baramati stronghold, reaffirming his enduring influence in the constituency despite the schism and shifting political alliances. This outcome enhanced his standing within the government and rekindled discussions about his future role in the state’s political framework.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Pawar shared the stage with Sharad Pawar at a public event, a rare appearance that garnered significant attention amid discussions of possible reconciliation or a strategic reset within the fractured legacy of the NCP. Although no formal realignment occurred, the moment was regarded as symbolically important within Maharashtra’s evolving political narrative.
An influential yet contentious figure in Maharashtra politics for nearly four decades, Pawar remained at the epicenter of the state’s political dynamics, a person whose ascent, resilience, and concluding chapter signified the end of a notable period in public life. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and his sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar.
