Baramati/Mumbai: Maharashtra politics has lost its most restless energy. Ajit Anantrao Pawar, known affectionately and fearfully as “Dada” (Big Brother), was more than just a Deputy Chief Minister; he was the pulse of the state’s administration. Following his tragic demise in a plane crash near his fortress of Baramati today, we look back at the moments that shaped the man who refused to stay in anyone’s shadow.
The Early Days: The Shadow of the Patriarch
Born on July 22, 1959, in Ahmednagar, Ajit Pawar was introduced to politics not as a prince, but as a worker. While his uncle, Sharad Pawar, was the towering national figure, Ajit was the man on the ground.
- 1991 Debut: He made his entry into the Lok Sabha from Baramati but vacated the seat for his uncle, shifting to the State Assembly—a seat he would hold until his last breath.
- The Learner: In the 90s, he was often seen carrying files behind Sharad Pawar, learning the art of the cooperative movement that controls Western Maharashtra’s economy.
The ‘6 AM’ Administrator
If there was one image that defined his work ethic, it was his dawn visits. Long before Mumbai woke up, Dada would be at construction sites—be it flyovers in Pune or irrigation canals in Vidarbha—scolding officials for delays.
- The Reputation: He was blunt, often abrasive, but effective. Bureaucrats knew that a meeting with Dada meant homework had to be done.
- Water Resources: As the Water Resources Minister for years (1999-2010), he reshaped the state’s irrigation landscape, though this era was also marred by the controversies of the irrigation scam.
The Rebel: The Dawn That Shook India (2019)
November 23, 2019, remains the most surreal morning in Maharashtra’s history. In a move that no one predicted, Ajit Pawar broke ranks to take oath as Deputy CM alongside the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis at the crack of dawn, long before the city woke up.
- The 80-Hour Govt: The rebellion was short-lived. He returned to the NCP fold days later, but the image of that morning signaled that Dada was no longer willing to wait for his turn.
The Final Split & Record Tenure (2023-2026)
The final act of his political independence came in July 2023. Walking out of the NCP with a majority of MLAs, he joined the Eknath Shinde-BJP government, eventually claiming the NCP name and clock symbol.
- The Leader: This move cemented him as a pragmatic power player who prioritized development and power over ideological rigidity.
- The Victory: Following the Mahayuti alliance’s sweeping victory in the 2024 Assembly Elections, he took oath as Deputy CM for a record-breaking sixth time on December 5, 2024.
The Family Man & The Fortress
Despite the “tough guy” persona, Ajit Pawar was deeply rooted in his family and his constituency. Baramati wasn’t just a seat; it was his extended home. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, and sons, Parth and Jay, were often by his side during the gruelling election campaigns that delivered record-breaking margins victory after victory.
Key Highlights of a Volatile Career
- The Record: Held the record for being Deputy Chief Minister six times in Maharashtra’s history.
- The Base: Transformed Baramati into a model of agro-industrial development.
- The Style: Famous for his “seedha baat” (straight talk) speeches, often devoid of political correctness.
Why This Matters To You
Ajit Pawar’s life is a case study in Indian realpolitik. He represented the transition of Maharashtra leadership from the old-school, sugar-lobby patriarchs to aggressive, development-oriented pragmatists. His absence leaves a vacuum in the state’s administration that will be impossible to fill immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: Ajit Pawar held the position of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra a record six times, serving under Chief Ministers Prithviraj Chavan, Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde, and twice under Devendra Fadnavis (2019 and 2024).
A: It was a major political controversy involving alleged irregularities in irrigation projects during his tenure as Water Resources Minister. However, he was cleared of charges in several affidavits filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2019.
A: His son Parth Pawar has contested elections previously, and his other son Jay Pawar is also active in social work. The political legacy of his faction of the NCP is now an open question.
Read Also:
