MUMBAI: Before the tragic plane crash in Baramati that ended his life at 9 am on Wednesday morning, Maharashtra’s influential Pawar family had reached a consensus to anoint Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as the supreme leader of both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party and the family, with 85-year-old Sharad Pawar choosing to step away from active politics and hand over the reins to his 66-year-old nephew.
Meetings were underway in both Sharad Pawar and Ajit camps, and final touches were about to be given to the transition. However, fate had something different in store for Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar was known for starting work early in the morning, a rare quality among politicians. He was deeply committed to punctuality and discipline. Once an appointment was given, he would never miss it and ensured that others did not waste time either. He was devoted to time and development. Though a state-level leader, his soul always remained in Baramati—the place that supported him through good and bad times. It was the same constituency from where he was elected MLA eight consecutive times with record margins. He consistently backed his party workers and ensured that no injustice was done to them.
After attending a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Pawar left for Baramati to address the Zilla Parishad election campaign early Wednesday morning. The plane reached Baramati, but poor visibility prevented the pilot from seeing the ground, resulting in the aircraft crashing and catching fire. Tragically, Ajit Pawar lost his life near Baramati—the place to which he was most emotionally attached.
Ajit Pawar was popularly known as “Dada,” a term signifying an elder brother—someone who dominates through activeness and affection. He had the power to turn grassroots party workers into MLAs and MPs. His word carried immense value in political circles, and even senior leaders rarely dared to break it. If Dada gave his word, the work was considered done. His influence extended to the bureaucratic system as well. A well-read man, he understood laws and procedures thoroughly and knew how to use them for development and public welfare. He was not someone who could be fooled by gimmicks.
Ajit Pawar grew up under the shadow of his uncle, Sharad Pawar. While Sharad Pawar focused on national politics, Ajit Pawar was entrusted with handling state affairs. For nearly three decades, both managed their respective roles successfully. Sharad Pawar consistently protected his nephew during controversies, and Ajit Pawar never crossed the boundaries set by his uncle. His uncle’s word was final for him, even when he served as deputy chief minister. Though they had different ideas and plans, they worked together comfortably for the development of Maharashtra and respected each other’s decisions.
Ajit Pawar later joined hands with the BJP and became deputy chief minister in a BJP-led government. However, his commitment to secularism and progressive ideology remained undeniable. While part of the BJP-led alliance, he was often reminded—and he often reiterated—that he would never abandon the Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar ideology.
Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy chief minister eight times and always aspired to become the chief minister of Maharashtra. He made earnest attempts, and age was on his side, but fate intervened. Ambitious yet practical, he adjusted according to political circumstances. He served under several chief ministers, including the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Chavan, Uddhav Thackeray, and most recently Devendra Fadnavis. He possessed a sharp political acumen and the ability to read situations accurately. He never lost touch with the masses and remained grounded throughout his career.
Ajit Pawar understood that his real strength lay in people and party workers, and he worked tirelessly for them. He carved out his own space in Maharashtra’s politics and stayed relevant through consistent work. He was approachable and accessible to all.
He was not new to controversies. He was involved in the ₹70,000-crore irrigation scam during his tenure as Water Resources Minister. He however maintained that the allegations against him were politically motivated. He was among those named in the MSCB loan case, which the Economic Offences Wing closed in early 2024 after finding no evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Despite the controversies, the people of Maharashtra continued to believe in his leadership and commitment to development. He understood caste dynamics, worked for social causes, and practiced inclusive politics at a time when divisive politics was on the rise.
Ajit Pawar was also known for his blunt nature. If a party worker’s request was feasible, he would say yes; otherwise, he would say no without hesitation. While his bluntness initially hurt many, people gradually began to admire his candid and straightforward approach.
With Ajit Pawar’s demise, an uncertain future looms over both factions of the NCP. His untimely death has created a massive void in the party and the Pawar family. These are big shoes to fill, and at present, neither Supriya Sule nor Rohit Pawar appears prepared to step into that role. The 85-year-old Sharad Pawar, who was planning a peaceful retirement, now faces an enormous responsibility at a very advanced age.