In the intricate tapestry of Maharashtra politics, few figures have been as influential, enigmatic, and ultimately tragic as Ajit Pawar. For over four decades, he was the iron-fisted administrator of Baramati, a master strategist in the state’s cooperative sector, and a record-holding Deputy Chief Minister. Yet, despite his immense power and influence, the one title that eluded him was the top job itself: Chief Minister of Maharashtra. His story is not just one of political ambition but of a dream deferred, a family fractured, and a legacy cemented in the very soil of his home constituency.
Table of Contents
- From Baramati Roots to Statewide Power
- The Deputy CM Who Wanted More
- The 2019 Oath Ceremony That Shook Maharashtra
- The NCP Split and a Family at War
- A Final Victory in Baramati
- Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Ajit Pawar
- Sources
From Baramati Roots to Statewide Power
Ajit Pawar’s political journey began not in the grand halls of Mantralaya, but in the cooperative sugar factories of Baramati, the stronghold of his uncle, the legendary Sharad Pawar [[5]]. Elected to the board of a local cooperative in 1982, he quickly learned the art of grassroots politics and economic control that defines rural Maharashtra [[33]]. His entry into electoral politics in the early 1990s was a natural progression, and he soon became a dominant voice within the newly formed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) [[35]].
Baramati wasn’t just his constituency; it was his karmabhoomi—his field of action. He won an astonishing eight consecutive elections from this seat, a testament to his deep connection with his electorate and his ability to maintain a formidable local machinery [[6]]. This unshakeable base in Baramati gave him the leverage to become a central player in state politics, far beyond the confines of his district [[29]].
The Ajit Pawar Who Wanted More
Ajit Pawar holds the unique, albeit bittersweet, distinction of being Maharashtra’s most frequent Deputy Chief Minister. He served in this role under multiple governments, including those led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, and Uddhav Thackeray [[4]]. His tenure as the Minister of Water Resources was particularly powerful, giving him control over a vast portfolio that cemented his reputation as a decisive and sometimes controversial administrator [[10]].
However, the title of Deputy CM, no matter how many times he held it, was never enough. It was widely known in political circles that Ajit harbored a deep desire to become the Chief Minister. This ambition was the driving force behind many of his most significant—and divisive—political maneuvers. His repeated stints as the second-in-command only seemed to highlight the fact that the top chair remained an unfulfilled dream [[7]].
The 2019 Oath Ceremony That Shook Maharashtra
The clearest manifestation of Ajit Pawar’s ambition came in November 2019. In a stunning pre-dawn move, he took oath as Deputy CM alongside Devendra Fadnavis, who was sworn in as Chief Minister for a second term [[18]]. This ceremony, held without the knowledge of his own party leadership or the media, was a direct challenge to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance that was on the verge of formation [[17]].
The political crisis that ensued was chaotic and short-lived. Within a day, the government collapsed as it became clear they lacked the numbers in the assembly [[13]]. The move backfired spectacularly, earning him sharp criticism from allies and opponents alike, with Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut accusing him of having “backstabbed” the people of Maharashtra [[15]]. This event, while a tactical failure, laid bare his relentless pursuit of the CM post and his willingness to upend the political order to get there.
The NCP Split and a Family at War
Four years later, in July 2023, Ajit Pawar made his boldest move yet. He led a rebellion against his own uncle, Sharad Pawar, and split the NCP [[25]]. Taking a majority of the party’s MLAs with him, he joined the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) alliance, once again becoming Deputy CM, this time under Eknath Shinde [[11]].
This act didn’t just split a political party; it fractured one of India’s most powerful political dynasties. The family rift was now public and political. In the 2024 assembly elections, this drama played out on the ground in Baramati, where Ajit faced off against his own nephew, Yugendra Pawar, who represented the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP [[22]].
A Final Victory in Baramati
Despite the intense family opposition, Ajit Pawar’s political machinery in Baramati proved too strong. He won the 2024 election decisively, securing his eighth consecutive term from the constituency [[30]]. This victory was a final, powerful affirmation of his personal clout and his deep roots in his home turf [[32]]. Tragically, his life and political journey would come to an end in this very place on January 28, 2026 [[3]].
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar’s legacy is a complex one. He was a brilliant political organizer, a shrewd tactician, and a leader who commanded fierce loyalty in his bastion of Baramati. He shaped Maharashtra’s politics for decades, often from the powerful position of Deputy CM. Yet, his story is forever marked by the one role he could never secure. His ambition, while a source of his strength, also led to his most controversial decisions and a painful family schism. In the end, Ajit Pawar will be remembered as the quintessential strongman of Maharashtra politics whose long march ended with his ultimate dream still unfulfilled. His life serves as a compelling case study in the dynamics of power, ambition, and the high personal cost of political life in India.
Sources
- [[1]] The Hindu: “Sharad Pawar’s shadow to Fadnavis’ ally, a look at his 40-year political journey”
- [[3]] Wikipedia (Marathi): “अजित पवार”
- [[4]] Jagran Josh: “Ajit Pawar Biography: Education, Political Career, Age and…”
- [[5]] CNBC TV18: “Timeline of Ajit Pawar’s political career”
- [[6]] Deccan Chronicle: “Ajit Pawar’s Political Journey at a Glance”
- [[7]] Punjab Kesari: “Ajit Pawar Biography: Untold journey of Ajit Pawar and his unfulfilled chief minister dream”
- [[10]] The Hindu: “Ajit Pawar (1959-2026)”
- [[11]] Times of India: “Ajit Pawar appointed deputy CM, 8 other NCP MLAs take oath”
- [[13]] The Financial Express (Facebook): Post on the 2019 oath decision
- [[15]] Times of India: “Ajit Pawar has ‘backstabbed’ people of Maharashtra: Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut”
- [[17]] The Indian Express: “In Maha twist, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar take oath”
- [[18]] Wikipedia: “2019 Maharashtra political crisis”
- [[22]] The Economic Times: “Ajit Pawar family tree: From Sharad Pawar to Supriya Sule”
- [[25]] Wikipedia: “2023 Nationalist Congress Party split”
- [[29]] India Today: “Baramati, Ajit Pawar’s karmabhoomi, shaped him and saw…”
- [[30]] OneIndia: “Baramati Assembly Election Results 2024”
- [[32]] The Hindu: “Meticulous planning helped Ajit Pawar retain Baramati”
- [[33]] Jagran Josh: “Ajit Pawar Biography”
- [[35]] Deccan Chronicle: “Ajit Pawar’s Political Journey at a Glance”