Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar passed away on Wednesday after a charter aircraft carrying him crashed near Baramati, officials said. The tragic accident occurred while the aircraft was flying from Mumbai to Baramati, reportedly following a technical malfunction during the final phase of the journey.
According to initial information shared by authorities, the aircraft made an emergency landing attempt but burst into flames moments after impact. Ajit Pawar, aged 66, along with four other occupants on board, lost their lives in the crash. Officials stated that the severity of the fire left no possibility of survival.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra, particularly Baramati — Pawar’s political stronghold — where he was scheduled to attend a public programme later in the day. Visuals from the crash site showed the aircraft reduced to charred debris, underscoring the magnitude of the tragedy.
A Political Heir from a Powerful Dynasty
Ajit Pawar hailed from one of Maharashtra’s most influential political families. He was the nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar and played a crucial role in shaping the state’s power politics over several decades.
Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara village of Ahmednagar district, Ajit Pawar faced early personal hardship. His father, Anantrao Pawar, who worked at Mumbai’s Rajkamal Studio, passed away when Ajit Pawar was young, forcing him to abandon his formal education and shoulder family responsibilities at an early age.
Family and Personal Life
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, elder son Parth Pawar, and younger son Jay Pawar. The family was frequently seen together during political events and election campaigns. His wife remained actively present during public outreach programmes, while his elder son Parth once stepped into electoral politics, though without electoral success.
Among his siblings, elder brother Srinivas Pawar is a businessman, and the two shared a close bond. His sister, Vijaya Patil, has largely remained away from active politics.
Rise Through Cooperative and Electoral Politics
Ajit Pawar’s political journey began in 1982, when he entered public life through the cooperative sector as a board member of a sugar factory — a traditional power base in Maharashtra politics. Mentored by his uncle Sharad Pawar, he gradually learned the complexities of governance and political strategy.
He achieved a major milestone in 1991 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati. He later stepped aside from parliamentary politics to allow Sharad Pawar to enter the Union Cabinet, a move that reshaped both their political trajectories.
Over the years, Ajit Pawar emerged as a decisive, often controversial, figure in state politics, holding key portfolios and playing a pivotal role in coalition governments.
