The raw, unfiltered grief on Supriya Sule’s face told a story far deeper than any political headline. The news of her cousin, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar death in a plane crash near Baramati on January 28, 2026, didn’t just claim a powerful political figure—it shattered a family [[7]]. Her tearful arrival at the hospital, where she cried inconsolably for her ‘dada’, became a poignant symbol of a bond that endured even the most bitter of political splits [[5]]. Now, as the nation mourns, the question on everyone’s mind is not just about the personal loss, but about the immense political vacuum left behind and what it means for the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Table of Contents
- Supriya Sule’s Heartbreak: A Bond Beyond Politics
- The NCP Split: Context for the Family Rift
- The Political Vacuum After the Ajit Pawar Death
- Who Will Lead Ajit Pawar’s NCP Faction?
- Conclusion: A Family and a State in Mourning
- Sources
Supriya Sule’s Heartbreak: A Bond Beyond Politics
Despite their positions on opposite sides of a major political chasm, the familial connection between Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar remained a constant thread. In a heartfelt WhatsApp status, Sule simply wrote that she was “devastated” by the loss of her ‘Dada’ [[4]]. This term of endearment, used widely across Maharashtra for an elder brother or respected uncle, underscores a relationship rooted in childhood and family, long before the complexities of state politics and party leadership entered the picture.
Witnesses described Sule as being overcome with emotion, her grief a stark contrast to the usual stoicism of the political arena [[3]]. This public display of sorrow resonated with many, reminding the public that behind the titles and the factions are real people bound by deep, personal ties. Their relationship, while strained by the 2023 NCP split, was never reported to be personally hostile, with both often referring to each other with respect in public forums [[12]].
The NCP Split: Context for the Family Rift
To understand the weight of this tragedy, one must look back at the dramatic events of July 2023. The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, was cleaved in two when his nephew, Ajit Pawar, led a significant faction of MLAs to join the BJP-led government in Maharashtra [[11]]. This move was a direct challenge to the party’s founder and his daughter, Supriya Sule, who remained loyal to the original NCP ideology under the banner of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) [[17]].
The split was framed publicly as an ideological divergence, but it was impossible to ignore the intense family drama at its core. Ajit Pawar, a six-time Deputy CM with a formidable base in Baramati, had long been seen as a potential successor, while Supriya Sule’s own stature within the party had been steadily rising [[12]]. The Ajit Pawar death has now thrown this unresolved succession battle into complete chaos.
The Political Vacuum After the Ajit Pawar Death
Ajit Pawar wasn’t just a deputy chief minister; he was a key power broker in Maharashtra politics, a master strategist with deep connections across party lines [[21]]. His sudden and tragic demise has created a massive void that will be incredibly difficult to fill. His faction of the NCP, which was a crucial ally for the BJP in the state government, is now left without its central pillar and primary negotiator [[19]].
This uncertainty extends beyond just his party. The entire equilibrium of Maharashtra’s coalition politics is now in question. The BJP, which relied heavily on Ajit Pawar’s influence, must now navigate a new and unpredictable landscape. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar’s faction sees a potential, albeit tragic, opportunity to reunite the party, though the path forward is fraught with emotional and political complexity [[20]].
Who Will Lead Ajit Pawar’s NCP Faction?
All eyes are now on Ajit Pawar’s immediate family to see who will attempt to carry his political mantle. The two most likely successors are his wife, Sunetra Pawar, and his son, Parth Pawar [[23]]. Both have been active in politics, but neither possesses the decades of experience and the vast network of grassroots support that Ajit Pawar had meticulously built over his 30-year career [[21]].
Analysts suggest that without a strong, unifying leader from within the family, the faction could face internal fragmentation or even be absorbed back into Sharad Pawar’s NCP group [[26]]. The ongoing Zilla Parishad elections and the looming state assembly polls add immense pressure to resolve this leadership question quickly. The future of the NCP, in its current fractured state, hangs in the balance.
Conclusion: A Family and a State in Mourning
The Ajit Pawar death is a profound tragedy on multiple levels. It is a personal loss for the Pawar family, whose members, despite their political differences, are united in their grief. It is a professional loss for Maharashtra, which has lost one of its most experienced and influential leaders. And it is a political earthquake that has destabilized the ruling coalition and thrown the future of a major regional party into doubt. As Supriya Sule mourns her ‘dada’, the entire state watches and waits to see how this powerful dynasty will navigate its most challenging chapter yet. For more on the history of the NCP, see our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:history-of-ncp-maharashtra].
Sources
- Times of India: “Ajit Pawar death: Supriya Sule breaks down for her ‘dada’; a bond beyond the NCP split” [[7]]
- NDTV: “Ajit Pawar Death in Plane Crash Updates: ‘Devastated'” [[4]]
- ABP Live: “Ajit Pawar Death: Supriya Sule Breaks Down In Tears” [[5]]
- The Hindu: “NCP split is due to ideological differences, has nothing to do with Pawar family, says Supriya Sule” [[17]]
- The New Indian Express: “With Ajit Pawar gone, uncertainty looms over NCP and Pawar legacy” [[20]]
- Moneycontrol: “Ajit Pawar’s untimely death: What’s next for his NCP faction?” [[26]]
- The Week: “The future of NCP: Who will inherit Ajit Pawar’s political legacy?” [[23]]