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Ajit Anantrao Pawar is a prominent Indian politician who has been an influential figure in Maharashtra politics for several decades. He belongs to one of the most powerful political families in the state and is the nephew of the veteran politician Sharad Pawar, the founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Over the years, Ajit Pawar has earned a reputation as a shrewd and pragmatic politician, holding several key positions in the state government, including that of Deputy Chief Minister. His career, however, has not been without controversies, which have shaped public perceptions of him as both a skilled leader and a controversial figure.

Early Life and Family Background

Ajit Pawar was born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, a village in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. He hails from an agriculturally prosperous family, with deep roots in the sugar cooperative sector, which has long been a significant political and economic force in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar is the son of Anantrao Pawar, and his uncle, Sharad Pawar, became his political mentor, guiding him through the labyrinthine world of Maharashtra politics.

Ajit Pawar's entry into politics was almost a foregone conclusion, given his family’s powerful standing. His uncle Sharad Pawar had already made a name for himself as a dynamic and influential leader, serving as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra multiple times and also holding various significant portfolios at the national level, including that of the Minister of Agriculture.

Political Entry and Early Career

Ajit Pawar’s formal entry into politics began when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Baramati constituency in a by-election in 1982. However, he quickly shifted his focus to state politics and was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from the Baramati constituency in 1991. Baramati has been a stronghold of the Pawar family, and Ajit Pawar has retained the seat since then, winning successive elections with comfortable margins.

Over the years, Ajit Pawar climbed the political ladder within Maharashtra, securing influential portfolios in the state government. He became the Minister of State for Agriculture and Power in 1992, signaling his growing influence in the state’s political and administrative affairs. His involvement in the cooperative sector, particularly in the sugar industry, further cemented his stature in rural Maharashtra, where sugar cooperatives wield significant influence.

Rise to Power

Ajit Pawar’s rise to power within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Maharashtra government was swift. In 2004, he was appointed as the Minister for Water Resources in Maharashtra, a post he held for nearly a decade. During his tenure, Ajit Pawar was credited with pushing forward several irrigation projects, although these would later become the subject of intense scrutiny and allegations of corruption.

In 2010, Ajit Pawar was appointed Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a role he would go on to hold multiple times in the years to come. His appointment to this position solidified his status as the second most powerful leader within the NCP, after his uncle Sharad Pawar. Ajit Pawar was seen as a no-nonsense administrator, often taking swift and bold decisions, which earned him both praise and criticism.

Administrative Style and Political Persona

Ajit Pawar is known for his administrative acumen and his ability to get things done, often cutting through bureaucratic red tape. His style of functioning has been described as efficient and result-oriented, though sometimes bordering on authoritarian. He is often referred to as "Dada" (elder brother), a term that reflects both respect and the strong-arm tactics he is occasionally accused of using.

Ajit Pawar’s political persona is in sharp contrast to that of his uncle Sharad Pawar, who is known for his political diplomacy and consensus-building approach. While Sharad Pawar is a master of political strategy and coalition-building, Ajit Pawar is often seen as more direct and confrontational. This difference in style has sometimes led to tensions within the NCP, although the two have largely maintained a united front in public.

Controversies and the Irrigation Scam

Ajit Pawar’s political career has been marred by several controversies, the most significant of which is the Maharashtra irrigation scam. As the Minister for Water Resources, Ajit Pawar oversaw several large-scale irrigation projects in the state. In 2012, allegations surfaced that funds allocated for these projects had been misused and that the actual progress of the projects was far below what had been reported. The scam, which involved a massive sum of over ₹70,000 crore, became a major political issue in Maharashtra, with opposition parties calling for Ajit Pawar’s resignation.

In response to the allegations, Ajit Pawar resigned from his post as Deputy Chief Minister in 2012, although he was later reinstated after an internal inquiry by the NCP cleared him of wrongdoing. Despite this, the irrigation scam continues to be a significant blot on Ajit Pawar’s political career, and critics have often used it to question his integrity.

2019 Political Drama and the “80-Hour Deputy CM”

One of the most dramatic episodes in Ajit Pawar’s political career came in 2019, during the formation of the Maharashtra government following the state assembly elections. The elections resulted in a fractured mandate, with no single party or alliance winning a clear majority. The NCP, Congress, and Shiv Sena eventually decided to form a coalition government, sidelining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had emerged as the single largest party.

In a stunning turn of events, Ajit Pawar broke ranks with his uncle Sharad Pawar and, in the early hours of November 23, 2019, was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in a government led by BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, who was sworn in as Chief Minister. The move shocked political observers and led to widespread speculation about a split within the Pawar family and the NCP. Ajit Pawar’s decision was seen as an attempt to form a government with the BJP without the approval of his party.

However, this dramatic episode was short-lived. Within 80 hours, Ajit Pawar resigned from his position, and the Fadnavis government collapsed. The incident earned him the nickname of the “80-hour Deputy CM.” Ajit Pawar later reconciled with Sharad Pawar, and the NCP went on to form a government with the Shiv Sena and Congress, with Uddhav Thackeray becoming Chief Minister.

Ajit Pawar’s brief rebellion was seen by many as a miscalculation, but it also highlighted his ambition and his willingness to take risks to secure political power. Despite the controversy, Ajit Pawar was once again appointed as Deputy Chief Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, underscoring his indispensability within the NCP.

Deputy Chief Minister Under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government

Following the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar was given the crucial portfolio of Finance and Planning. As Deputy Chief Minister, he played a key role in the administration of the state, particularly in managing the state's finances during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. His handling of the pandemic response, particularly in terms of resource allocation and management, was widely seen as efficient, although the state, like many others in India, struggled with the unprecedented health crisis.

Ajit Pawar’s role in the MVA government also involved balancing the often conflicting interests of the three coalition partners – the NCP, Shiv Sena, and Congress. His pragmatic approach and experience in governance were seen as stabilizing factors within the coalition, even as the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, took on a more prominent role in the government.

Personal Life and Legacy

Ajit Pawar is married to Sunetra Pawar, and the couple has two children, Parth and Jay Pawar. His son Parth Pawar contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the Maval constituency but was defeated, which led to speculation about internal family dynamics, particularly in relation to Sharad Pawar’s views on Parth’s political career.

Despite the controversies and the challenges he has faced, Ajit Pawar remains a key figure in Maharashtra politics. His ability to bounce back from setbacks and his skill in managing the complexities of coalition politics have made him one of the most resilient leaders in the state. While his political future may still be closely tied to that of his uncle and the broader NCP, Ajit Pawar has carved out a distinct identity for himself as a capable, if sometimes controversial, leader.

In terms of legacy, Ajit Pawar’s political career will likely be remembered for his contributions to the development of Maharashtra, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and agriculture, as well as for the controversies that have followed him throughout his career. His role in shaping the NCP’s future, especially in the post-Sharad Pawar era, will be closely watched, as he continues to be a pivotal figure in the state’s political landscape.

As of 2024, Ajit Pawar remains a central figure in Maharashtra politics, with an eye on both continuing his influence within the state and potentially playing a larger role in national politics through the NCP, depending on how the political winds shift in the coming years. His career, marked by both accomplishment and controversy, reflects the complex and often volatile nature of Indian politics, where familial ties, regional interests, and national ambitions frequently intersect.