Cooperative sector to Deputy CM: Master strategist Ajit Pawar life story

Ajit Pawar, the influential leader who was a central figure in Maharashtra politics for over three decades. He was born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district.

Today morning, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, a tragic aviation accident claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and several others. The plane was a Learjet 45 (Registration: VT-SSK), operated by the Delhi-based charter company VSR. It had taken off from Mumbai earlier that morning.

He was the son of Anantrao Pawar and Ashatai Pawar. His father worked at Rajkamal Studio in Mumbai. He was the nephew of veteran political leader Sharad Pawar.

After his father’s early death, Ajit Pawar had to drop out of college to shoulder the responsibility of supporting his family. This early exposure to the hardships of agrarian life and social issues deeply influenced his practical administrative style.

He began his journey in the cooperative sector in 1982, winning a seat on the board of a local sugar factory. He later served as the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank for 16 years, building his political foundation from the grassroots.

Political Challenges & Milestones:

Ajit Pawar was known as a master strategist, though his career was marked by significant internal and external challenges:

The “Shadow” of Sharad Pawar:

For decades, he operated under the wings of his uncle. His first major political act was winning the Baramati Lok Sabha seat in 1991, which he immediately vacated to allow Sharad Pawar to enter Parliament and join the Union Cabinet.

The 2019 “80-Hour Government”:

In one of the most dramatic moments in Indian politics, he broke ranks with the NCP to take oath as Deputy CM alongside the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis in an early morning ceremony. The alliance collapsed within 80 hours after he failed to bring enough MLAs with him, leading to his return to the NCP fold.

The 2023 Party Split:

He eventually led a successful rebellion against his uncle in July 2023, joining the Eknath Shinde-led government as Deputy CM. In February 2024, the Election Commission officially recognized his faction as the “real” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and awarded him the party name and “Clock” symbol.

Allegations and Scrutiny:

Throughout his career, he faced intense scrutiny over the ₹70,000-crore irrigation scam and the MSCB loan case. He consistently denied these allegations, and many cases were eventually closed due to lack of evidence.

Legacy of Governance:

Despite the controversies, he was respected as a highly efficient administrator and Finance Minister, known for his deep understanding of budgets and his straightforward, “work-first” approach (often called “Dada” by supporters).

At the time of his passing, Ajit Pawar held the record for being the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having served six non-consecutive terms under various Chief Ministers.

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