India News
It is well-known that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash. There is no doubt that this incident is a major tragedy in Maharashtra politics. With his death in the accident, both Maharashtra and the entire country expressed deep grief. What made Ajit Pawar unique was that he continued in office for an exceptionally long period.
Ajit Pawar, the nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, began his political career in 1982 as a member of the Cooperative Sugar Board. He was one of the leaders who maintained a strong hold over both power and party politics in Maharashtra. After entering politics in 1982, he quickly established his position in the Maharashtra political landscape.
Alongside his uncle Sharad Pawar, he played a key role in strengthening the Congress party and later the breakaway Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He set a record by taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister seven times.
His control over administration and dominance in politics were extraordinary. He became one of the most influential leaders in state politics. In addition to politics, Ajit Pawar also had significant influence in the cooperative sector, with strong connections to Maharashtra’s cooperative sugar mills. He also served as Chairman of Pune District Cooperative Bank.
In just four years, he became Deputy Chief Minister three times, and that too in different alliances! Over thirty years, he spent the longest time in office. He seemed unable to stay away from power. After the 2019 elections, amid many twists and turns in Maharashtra politics, he remained a key figure. He was elected MP from Baramati in 1991.
When Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s cabinet appointed Sharad Pawar as Defence Minister, Sharad Pawar resigned from the MP post to contest elections, and Ajit Pawar was elected MLA from Baramati. He won from there six consecutive times. From being Minister of State for Agriculture to Cabinet Minister in 1999, he held various responsibilities.
He continued as Deputy Chief Minister in the long-standing Congress–NCP coalition until 2014. From 2019 to June 2022, he held the same responsibilities in the Congress–Shiv Sena–NCP Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Despite his long tenure as minister, Ajit Pawar faced allegations of corruption. His family members were investigated by the ED and ACB over irregularities in sugar cooperatives.
During his tenure as Water Resources Minister, allegations were raised regarding irregularities in project construction. In 2014, when he was in the opposition, Devendra Fadnavis alleged that Ajit Pawar was involved in a Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam. In the 2019 assembly elections, BJP (105)–Shiv Sena (56) coalition secured 161 seats, while Congress (44)–NCP (54) got 98 seats.
Despite crossing the “magic mark” of 145, disputes between BJP and Shiv Sena over the Chief Minister’s post arose. During this period, Ajit Pawar joined the BJP faction and became Deputy Chief Minister in the Fadnavis government.
Plane and helicopter accidents have claimed many prominent figures in Indian politics and cinema. Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash has left NCP leaders and his supporters in deep mourning.
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