The sudden and tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash today has sent shockwaves through the political corridors of India, marking a violent end to one of the most resilient and controversial careers in Maharashtra’s history. Known colloquially as ‘Dada,’ Ajit Pawar was more than just a politician; he was the quintessential power broker whose legacy is defined by a relentless pursuit of administrative efficiency and a ruthless brand of realpolitik.
Ajit Pawar, 66, was born in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district. He was the son of Ashatai Pawar and Anantrao Pawar, the brother of Sharad Pawar. He attended school in Deolali Pravara but dropped out of college to help his family after the death of his father. He was married to Sunetra Pawar, with whom he had two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.
For over three decades, Ajit Pawar remained the gravitational centre of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). His political impact was rooted in his formidable grip on the state’s cooperative sector and the sugar heartlands of western Maharashtra. Unlike his uncle, the veteran Sharad Pawar, who played the role of a national statesman, Ajit was the "man on the ground." He was celebrated by bureaucrats for his "signature-on-the-spot" style of functioning—a rare trait in a landscape often bogged down by red tape.
However, his legacy is deeply polarized. To his supporters, he was a builder of infrastructure and a saviour of the agrarian economy. To his critics, he represented the "uncrowned king" of entitlement, frequently embroiled in controversies, most notably the irrigation scam allegations. Yet, his ability to bounce back from adversity was legendary.
The most defining chapter of his political impact came in the twilight of his career. His decision to split the NCP and join the Mahayuti government was a seismic shift that rewrote the rules of regional alliances. It signalled the rise of a new, pragmatic—some would say opportunistic—politics where ideological purity was sacrificed for government power. This move not only fractured his own family but also fundamentally altered the DNA of the NCP, forcing a generational shift in the state’s leadership.
His death creates an immediate and profound vacuum. In the short term, the Mahayuti alliance loses its most potent administrator and a key bridge to the Maratha vote bank. In the long term, the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) faces an existential crisis; without his commanding personality and organizational muscle, the party risks fragmentation.
As Maharashtra mourns, the discourse will remain divided. Was he the architect of modern Maharashtra’s development, or the man who institutionalized political rebellion?
Regardless of the verdict, Ajit Pawar’s impact on the state's political economy remains indelible. He lived by the sword of political ambition, and his departure leaves behind a landscape that will struggle to find a leader of his visceral intensity and administrative grit.
