Ajit Pawar’s Political Journey at a Glance
Hyderabad: Ajit Anantrao Pawar, an important name in Maharashtra politics, died on January 28, 2026, when the private jet he was traveling in crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district, killing him and several other people on the plane. The tragedy occurred while Pawar was on his way to political talks in his home district.
Ajit Pawar was born on July 22, 1959, in Western Maharashtra into a family with deep political roots. He entered electoral politics in the early 1990s and quickly became a dominant voice in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Pawar’s electoral career began in 1991 when he won the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Baramati for the first time. Over the next three decades, he would be re-elected many times from the same constituency, often by large margins. His victories in 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 reflected his strong connection with his voters and his ability to maintain relevance despite changing political trends.
In the 1990s and subsequent years, Pawar held key portfolios in the Maharashtra government. He is remembered for his long tenure as Minister of Finance, where he was known for detailed budgets and economic planning. His handling of the state’s finances helped define Maharashtra’s fiscal policy for years and earned him cross-party respect for his analytical skills.
He also served multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, working on coalition arrangements that often involved complex negotiations between major political forces in the state. His political insight made him a central figure in alliance politics and state governance.
