Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, known as ‘Dada’, had a political career spanning over four decades. From grassroots beginnings to key cabinet roles and multiple deputy CM tenures, this timeline traces his journey and influence on the state’s political landscape
Ajit Pawar during a meeting of his NCP faction after the party split, in Mumbai, 2023. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Anantrao Pawar, a towering figure in the state’s political landscape, had a career spanning over four decades. His journey—marked by deep grassroots work, organisational control, and key roles in successive governments—was cut short after he lost his life in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday. Here is a look at his political journey:
1959
Ajit Pawar was born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara village in Rahuri taluka of Ahmednagar district, now Ahilyanagar.
1980
At the young age of 21, Pawar entered active public life. By then, his uncle Sharad Pawar was already at the helm of Maharashtra politics and had served as the state’s chief minister.
1982
Ajit Pawar’s early political grooming came through the cooperative sector. In 1982, he was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory in Pune district—a stepping stone that shaped his political rise.
1991
Nine years later, he was elected chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank, consolidating his influence in the powerful cooperative movement.
The same year, he was elected Member of Parliament from Baramati but resigned soon after, paving the way for his uncle Sharad Pawar to move to national politics in Delhi. He later entered the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, beginning a long legislative career in the state.
1991–1992
Ajit Pawar served as minister of state for agriculture and power in the Sudhakarrao Naik government.
1992–1993
He continued as minister of state for soil conservation, power and planning in the Sharad Pawar-led government from November 1992 to February 1993.
Ajit Pawar death: Key cabinet roles, deputy CM stints, and political realignments
1999–2014
Ajit Pawar held several key cabinet portfolios, including irrigation, finance and planning, and energy, gaining a reputation as a hands-on administrator.
2012–2014
In 2012, Ajit Pawar became Maharashtra’s Deputy CM for the first time during the Congress–Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government, before the regime was ousted by the Shiv Sena (undivided)–Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in 2014.
2019
Ajit Pawar briefly served as deputy CM for three days in the BJP-led government headed by Devendra Fadnavis. Later the same year, he was sworn in again to the same post in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, handling the finance and planning portfolios.
2022
Following the collapse of the MVA government, Pawar became leader of the opposition.
2023
He engineered a split in the NCP, then headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar, formed a separate faction, and joined the Eknath Shinde–Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, taking oath as deputy CM once again.
2024
Ajit Pawar was sworn in for another term as Maharashtra’s Deputy CM after the Mahayuti swept the Assembly polls.
Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here
January 28, 2026
In a tragic turn of events, Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati for a political rally, bringing an abrupt end to a long and eventful political career.
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