Ajit Pawar

About

Indian politician Indian politician and senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and known for serving multiple times as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, for his long-running influence over Baramati region politics, and for key roles in state finance, planning, and political realignments including the 2023 NCP split.

Before fame

He developed political interests early through the cooperative sector including involvement in agricultural and sugar cooperative boards. He entered formal politics with his first major victory in 1991 by winning a legislative seat connected to the Baramati region. He built his early career through legislative work at the state level. He rose through the party ranks in the 1990s and 2000s and became a trusted lieutenant within the Nationalist Congress Party. He first took on ministerial responsibility in the Maharashtra government in the late 1990s and early 2000s and handled portfolios that included water resources and planning. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 2022 to 2023 before the NCP split.

Trivia

He served as Deputy Chief Minister a record number of times which made him one of the longest-serving and most frequently reappointed Deputy CMs in Maharashtra's political history. He ran an official YouTube channel where he shared political speeches, press conferences, rally clips, interviews, and direct messages to the public. 

Family life

His full name was Ajit Anantrao Pawar. He was born and raised in in Deolali Pravara, Maharashtra, India. He was born into a politically prominent family with deep roots in state politics. His parents were Anantrao and Ashatai Pawar. He was the nephew of Sharad Pawar. He married Sunetra Pawar in 1985, and they had two sons together named Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar. He died on January 28th, 2026 in a plane crash. 

Associated with

He has worked alongside Narendra Modi through the BJP-led NDA alliance after joining the Maharashtra government in 2023.