Ajit Anantrao Pawar, also known as ‘Dada,’ was a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, recognized for his strong leadership, direct communication style, and significant impact on the state’s political scene. Serving as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister for the sixth time in the Mahayuti government, he played a crucial role in shaping the state’s governance alongside Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde. As the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), he wielded influence over key government sectors, including Finance and Planning, demonstrating adept control over the state’s financial matters.
Representing the Baramati Assembly constituency for seven consecutive terms since 1991, Ajit Pawar consistently secured overwhelming victories, establishing a solid power base within Maharashtra’s cooperative sector. With a tenure of 16 years as the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank (PDC), he held considerable sway over sugar cooperatives and milk unions. Throughout his political career, he assumed various significant ministerial roles in Maharashtra, overseeing crucial departments such as Water Resources, Power, and Rural Development under different Chief Ministers.
Ajit Pawar’s political legacy was characterized by his readiness to take daring and controversial actions. Notably, he made headlines by swearing in as Deputy CM with Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP in a brief-lived government episode in 2019 before rejoining his uncle, Sharad Pawar. In a significant move in July 2023, he led a substantial split within the NCP, aligning with the Eknath Shinde-led government, challenging his uncle Sharad Pawar’s long-standing leadership. Known for his proactive approach, he earned admiration from bureaucrats for his decisive decision-making style.
Despite facing allegations linked to the Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam and the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank case, Ajit Pawar consistently refuted any wrongdoing, receiving legal clearance on multiple occasions. As the nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, Ajit’s political journey witnessed family rifts, yet recent reports hint at strategic collaborations or “friendly contests” between the two NCP factions in local elections, preserving the family’s influence in the sugar belt. Married to Sunetra Pawar, an active figure in social and political spheres in Baramati, Ajit Pawar’s defeat in the Lok Sabha elections led to his wife’s appointment to the Rajya Sabha.
