Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash, Political Future of NCP in Turmoil

Mumbai: The unexpected demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar is raising major questions and challenges in the state’s political landscape. His death in a plane crash has shocked the nation, and discussions have intensified regarding the state’s ruling alliances and the future of the NCP as a party.

Ajit Pawar, who played a crucial role in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maha Yuti government, leaves a significant void. His absence will require recalculations within the ruling coalition. The NCP, under his leadership, enjoyed a strong support of 41 MLAs in the state assembly, and questions now arise over leadership succession and the coalition’s way forward. While the Maha Yuti still retains a majority, any changes in the coalition could have far-reaching political consequences.

Ajit Pawar’s death is a major setback for both factions of the NCP. The tragedy comes at a time when party founder Sharad Pawar was preparing to step back from active politics.

Recently, there had been indications of reconciliation with Sharad Pawar, and both NCP factions had contested municipal elections together. Political observers discussed Ajit Pawar’s declaration that the “family is united” and noted potential conflicts between the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar had previously contested elections together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

His death occurs in a state critical to national politics, second only to Uttar Pradesh in sending the most MPs to Parliament. The political ecosystem in Maharashtra is therefore highly significant.

Currently, the two NCP factions are in a decisive position. In Ajit Pawar’s absence, Supriya Sule is emerging as the central figure pushing for unity of both factions, but the position of MLAs allied with the ruling front will also be crucial, as the coalition has effectively lost a key commander.

Ajit Pawar’s heir, Rohit Pawar, is already a legislator but has not yet risen to a state-level leadership position. Meanwhile, questions remain about who will become the new Deputy Chief Minister from the NCP and whether the party’s MLAs will stay united under new leadership.

Political Journey

Born on July 22, 1959, Ajit Pawar entered politics in 1982 through a cooperative sugar mill board and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1991, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati, stepping aside for his uncle Sharad Pawar. He served for years as both MLA and cabinet minister, remaining a key figure in state politics.

In 2023, he split from the NCP founded by Sharad Pawar to join the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the Maha Yuti. In early 2019, he briefly joined the BJP and took oath as Deputy CM, creating shockwaves in Maharashtra politics, but later returned to the NCP at Sharad Pawar’s call. Within a year after the split from Sharad Pawar, his faction regained political legitimacy, retaining the NCP’s name, symbol, and influence.