Ajit Pawar dies in Baramati plane crash: How a small Pune town shaped the rise and fall of Maharashtra’s Deputy CM

Ajit Anantrao Pawar, a dominant force in Maharashtra politics, died in a tragic plane crash in his hometurf Baramati on Wednesday morning. Pawar, known for his administrative style, firm grip on Maharashtra's political landscape and blunt speaking style, was known for his good command and authority across party lines. What is tragic is worth noting that Ajit Pawar's electoral career began with his first win to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Baramati in 1991 and for the 66-year-old grassroots politician, the end came in Baramati, his home turf.

The plane crash occurred when the plane carrying Pawar and others was trying to make an emergency landing near Baramati. The aircraft had taken off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and disappeared from the radar around 8.45 am, according to Flight Radar data. Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state.

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Ajit Pawar and his hold on Baramati

Born on July 22, 1959 to Asha and Anantrao Pawar, Ajit Pawar followed the footsteps of his uncle (his father;s younger brother) Sharad Pawar into politics in 1982 when he was elected to the board of a sugar factory. Ajit Pawar’s political journey began in 1982 with his election to the board of a sugar cooperative. He went on to establish a strong presence in Maharashtra’s political and cooperative spheres, handling key portfolios such as irrigation, finance and water resources. Elected as an MLA in 1991, he has represented the Baramati constituency continuously since then.

A seasoned politician, Ajit Pawar was re-elected multiple times from the same constituency, often by large margins over the next three decades. His victories in 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 reflected his strong connection with his electorate and his ability to maintain relevance through shifting political tides. He represented the Baramati Assembly constituency seven consecutive times since 1991, winning by massive margins every time. His power base was rooted in Maharashtra’s cooperative sector.

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Ajit Pawar's political journey

In the decades that followed, Ajit Pawar held almost every major ministerial portfolio in Maharashtra, including Water Resources, Power, and Rural Development, under various Chief Ministers (Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, and Uddhav Thackeray). He is most widely remembered for his long stint as Finance Minister, during which he gained a reputation for presenting detailed budgets and shaping the state’s economic planning. The NCP chief's handling of Maharashtra’s finances played a crucial role in defining fiscal policy over the years and earned him respect across party lines for his sharp analytical approach.

Pawar also served multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister and his political acumen cemented his position as a pivotal figure in Maharashtra’s alliance politics and state administration. Ajit Pawar never hid his desire to become the state’s chief minister. Pawar was known to be a workaholic, and was famous for his punctuality, unlike many politicians notorious for their tardiness. He had the record of becoming the deputy chief minister in several governments, led by the Congress, Shiv Sena and BJP.

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In a shocking move, Ajit Pawar took oath as Deputy CM with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis in an early morning ceremony in November 2019. The government lasted only 80 hours before he returned to his uncle, Sharad Pawar. In July 2023, he led a major vertical split in the NCP, joining the Eknath Shinde-led government. This move effectively challenged the 25-year leadership of his uncle and mentor, Sharad Pawar.

Affectionately called ‘’Dada’’ (elder brother), Ajit Pawar was known to speak his mind and did not mince words while expressing his view especially before a rural audience. Ajit Pawar’s political relevance was defined by his willingness to take bold and controversial risks.

His career was dogged by allegations related to the Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam and the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank case. However, he has consistently denied wrongdoing and has received various legal clearances.

(With inputs from agencies)