Key Profile Highlights
- Full Name: Ajit Anantrao Pawar (1959, 2026)
- Political Identity: Longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra (6 terms)
- Constituency: Baramati (Elected 9 times to the State Assembly)
- Key Roles: President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), former Guardian Minister of Pune, and Finance Minister.
- Family: Husband of Sunetra Pawar (Rajya Sabha MP), father to Parth and Jay Pawar.
Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Ajit Pawar’s journey was rooted in the soil of Western Maharashtra. While his father, Anantrao Pawar, worked in the legendary Rajkamal Studios, Ajit chose the rugged path of rural administration. He made his political debut in 1982 through the cooperative sugar sector, eventually serving as the Chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank for 16 years. This period shaped his reputation as a leader who understood the intricate mechanics of rural finance and agriculture.
In 1991, he entered mainstream electoral politics by winning the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, only to vacate it shortly after for his uncle, Sharad Pawar. From that point on, Baramati became his fortress. He represented the constituency in the State Assembly for over three decades, winning his ninth consecutive term in late 2024 with a record-breaking margin.
The Architect of Administration
Known popularly as “Dada” (elder brother), Pawar was revered for his “no-nonsense” approach to governance. He was famously punctual, often reaching his office at the Mantralaya by 7:00 AM, long before the bureaucracy arrived. His tenure was marked by a laser focus on infrastructure, irrigation, and finance. He is credited with fast-tracking the Pune Metro project and implementing the Krishi Sanjeevani Yojana to aid struggling farmers.
However, his career was not without turbulence. He faced intense scrutiny during the multi-crore irrigation scam allegations and was the central figure in the dramatic “80-hour government” of 2019. Despite these challenges, his ability to bounce back made him an indispensable ally for any coalition, culminating in his 2023 decision to lead a major faction of the NCP into the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance.
The Final Chapter and Personal Life
Beyond the political arena, Pawar was a man of diverse interests, ranging from cricket to classical arts. He remained deeply committed to the Vidya Pratishthan educational trust, ensuring quality education for thousands in rural Maharashtra.
His sudden demise in the Baramati air crash on January 28, 2026, marks the end of an era. He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, who recently took on a national role as a Rajya Sabha member, and his two sons. While his elder son, Parth, has already tested political waters in the Lok Sabha, his younger son, Jay, has focused on the family’s business and agricultural ventures.
As the state prepares for his final rites, the political vacuum left by Ajit Pawar in Western Maharashtra remains a significant challenge for the upcoming municipal and local body elections.
