Ajit Pawar is a prominent Indian politician hailing from the state of Maharashtra. He is an active member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and has served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra twice. His first stint was from 2010 to 2012, and his second was from 2019 to 2021.
Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district, Ajit Pawar completed his schooling in Deolali Pravara. He belongs to the village of Katevadi in Baramati taluka, Pune district. Although he was pursuing a college degree, he had to drop out after his father's demise to assist in taking care of his family. He has completed his education up to the Secondary school level and holds the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from the Maharashtra State Board.
Ajit Pawar's political career began in 1982 when he was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory. He subsequently became the chairman of the Pune District Co-operative Bank (PDC) in 1991, holding the post for 16 years.
During this period, he was also elected as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from the Baramati Parliamentary Constituency. Ajit Pawar is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, a veteran politician and the founder of the NCP.
In 1992, when Sharad Pawar returned to the state as the Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar was appointed as the Minister of State for Soil Conservation, Power, and Planning. Later, when the Indian National Congress-NCP coalition came into power in 1999, Ajit Pawar was promoted to cabinet minister in the Irrigation Department.
On November 23, 2019, Ajit Pawar took an oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra State without his party's consent, in alliance with the BJP. However, he held the position for less than 80 hours, making him the Deputy CM with the shortest tenure in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government.
Later in 2019, it was announced that Pawar would take over as the Deputy Chief Minister for the Maha Vikas Aghadi administration after the commencement of the winter session of the state legislature on December 16.
Ajit Pawar is a prominent Indian politician hailing from the state of Maharashtra. He is an active member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and has served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra twice. His first stint was from 2010 to 2012, and his second was from 2019 to 2021.
Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district, Ajit Pawar completed his schooling in Deolali Pravara. He belongs to the village of Katevadi in Baramati taluka, Pune district. Although he was pursuing a college degree, he had to drop out after his father's demise to assist in taking care of his family. He has completed his education up to the Secondary school level and holds the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from the Maharashtra State Board.
Ajit Pawar's political career began in 1982 when he was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory. He subsequently became the chairman of the Pune District Co-operative Bank (PDC) in 1991, holding the post for 16 years.
During this period, he was also elected as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from the Baramati Parliamentary Constituency. Ajit Pawar is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, a veteran politician and the founder of the NCP.
In 1992, when Sharad Pawar returned to the state as the Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar was appointed as the Minister of State for Soil Conservation, Power, and Planning. Later, when the Indian National Congress-NCP coalition came into power in 1999, Ajit Pawar was promoted to cabinet minister in the Irrigation Department.
On November 23, 2019, Ajit Pawar took an oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra State without his party's consent, in alliance with the BJP. However, he held the position for less than 80 hours, making him the Deputy CM with the shortest tenure in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government.
Later in 2019, it was announced that Pawar would take over as the Deputy Chief Minister for the Maha Vikas Aghadi administration after the commencement of the winter session of the state legislature on December 16.
Speculation over a Nationalist Congress Party merger intensifies amid internal power struggles and differing alliances.
This special news report covers major political developments across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. In Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's planned visit to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 12 December sparks a debate ahead of state assembly elections.
Maharashtra's political scene heats up with talks of a reunification between the two NCP factions, which could reshape power dynamics.
In the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections across five seats, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi secured three seats while the ruling Mahayuti coalition won two. The Maha Vikas Aghadi swept all three graduate constituencies, with the Congress retaining the high-profile Nagpur graduates seat against the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) winning the Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar graduate seats. The Mahayuti secured the Pune and Amravati teachers constituencies through the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena respectively, while the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party drew a blank. The election outcome highlighted growing discord and seat-sharing friction among the ruling coalition partners in Maharashtra.
A political power play has emerged within Maharashtra's Mahayuti alliance as the Nationalist Congress Party demands the return of the finance portfolio. Senior party leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and minister Chhagan Bhujbal, met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to formally place their demand. The finance portfolio was previously held by the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar before being taken over by the Chief Minister following his demise. Following the meeting, the party stated that the Chief Minister gave an assurance regarding the return of the portfolio, with indications that the transition could take place ahead of the upcoming assembly winter session in December.
A leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) firmly dismissed speculation regarding any alliance with the National Democratic Alliance, clarifying that personal relationships across party lines do not equate to political compromise. Stressing that robust dialogue between the treasury and opposition benches is vital for parliamentary democracy, the speaker reflected on past inter-party relations during the UPA era. Addressing inquiries concerning internal party discussions with Ajit Pawar following the July split, the speaker acknowledged that efforts had been underway to work together and navigate a way forward in the larger interest before his passing.
The big talking point of this episode of News Today is the arrest of Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib following a shirtless protest at the AI summit.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched 'PRAHAAR', India's first comprehensive national counter-terrorism policy, establishing a zero-tolerance framework against evolving security threats.
On a special episode of UnPolitics, Milind Deora spoke about leaving the Congress to join Maharashtra’s Mahayuti alliance, saying the party had drifted from the centrist economic vision of his father, Murli Deora.
The big talking point of this episode of 'To The Point' is the unprecedented no-confidence motion filed by 118 opposition MPs against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging institutional bias.
This Special Report hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai examines the significant political shift in Maharashtra following the death of Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. His widow, Sunetra Pawar, has been sworn in as the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, a move occurring three days after the tragedy. While the NCP leadership attributes this appointment to public sentiment, family patriarch Sharad Pawar and various critics have raised questions regarding transparency and the timing of the elevation. The programme features analysis from Sahil Joshi and Rohit Sandhavarkar on whether Sunetra Pawar can maintain independent control or if she will be influenced by senior leaders like Praful Patel. Concurrently, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assumed the finance and planning portfolios, consolidating BJP influence within the Mahayuti coalition. The discussion explores the historical context of political legacies, the internal dynamics of the Pawar family, and the administrative challenges facing the new Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s evolving political landscape.
On this Special Report, editor Sahil Joshi provides an exclusive chronology of the political shift in Maharashtra following the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar. Joshi notes that the decision to elevate Sunetra Pawar to Deputy Chief Minister was unique because 'This is the first time the decision happened outside the family' circle, involving top NCP leaders like Praful Patel and Chagan Bhujbal before being conveyed to the Pawar family. The discussion explores whether Sunetra Pawar, a political newcomer, can successfully navigate the administrative challenges of the role and maintain the NCP's influence alongside a powerful Chief Minister like Devendra Fadnavis. The programme also examines the potential for a merger between the two NCP factions and the strategic role of the BJP in this transition. Analysts weigh in on the historical precedents of spouses taking over political legacies and the specific hurdles Sunetra Pawar faces in holding the party together amidst an existential crisis.
On this India Today special report, Anish Gawande of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) joins Rajdeep Sardesai to discuss the sudden political developments in Maharashtra following the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar. Gawande addresses the appointment of Sunetra Pawar as the new Deputy Chief Minister, stating, 'I think that Sunetra Wahini is incredibly capable and competent of being Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.' He emphasizes that despite the political divide, the family remains united in grief and dismisses claims of being 'outsmarted' by the BJP or the Ajit Pawar faction. Gawande explains that the decision was internal to the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and reflects the public sentiment in Baramati. The discussion also touches upon the tradition of kin succeeding leaders in Maharashtra politics and the current status of potential merger talks between the two NCP factions in the wake of the tragedy.
In this news bulletin, an unidentified speaker addresses significant claims involving the Pawar family and political shifts in Maharashtra. The speaker mentions being 'very happy to be here today' while the introductory narration discusses a purported merger that was reportedly 'on the anvil in the month of February'. The transcript highlights a claim that the 85-year-old patriarch was unaware of Sunetra Pawar being sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. Furthermore, the dialogue references a 'tragic death of Ajit Pawar' as a turning point for these political developments. The programme focuses on these assertions regarding internal family dynamics and the timing of political alliances. The unidentified speaker repeats their enthusiasm for the occasion while the report outlines the alleged lack of communication within the political dynasty regarding high-level appointments and the impact of sudden events on planned mergers.
On this news bulletin, an Unidentified speaker, serving as the National General Secretary of the NCP, addresses the controversial appointment of Sunetra Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra following the reported demise of Ajit Pawar. The speaker states, 'It is the right time to take the right decision because today or tomorrow it was going to be happen,' justifying the move as a response to public sentiment and worker demands. During the interview, the spokesperson categorically denies allegations of 'parivarwaad' (dynasty politics) and rejects claims that the decision was orchestrated by the BJP to prevent a merger with Sharad Pawar’s faction. The discussion highlights the internal dynamics of the Mahayuti alliance, with the spokesperson asserting that the party leadership, including Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal, acted independently to fulfill the mandate given by the public under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a historic move for Maharashtra politics, Sunetra Pawar has taken oath as the state's first woman Deputy Chief Minister. The elevation follows the tragic demise of NCP leader Ajit Pawar in a recent plane crash. During the transition, party leaders and close aides rallied behind her, with the speaker noting, 'Sunetra Pawar, widow of the late Ajit Pawar, has taken oath as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, making history as the first woman to hold the post.' The report highlights her background as the daughter of Padam Singh Patil and her previous role as a Rajya Sabha MP. Despite her 2024 electoral loss in Baramati to Supriya Sule, she now steps into a central leadership role within the Mahayuti Coalition. The programme examines whether she can maintain control over the party and the Pawar family legacy during this period of intense political churn and emotional transition for the state of Maharashtra.
This special report examines the evolving political landscape in Maharashtra following a high-profile meeting at Sharad Pawar's Baramati residence on 17th January. The report highlights that while the Sharad Pawar faction views a potential NCP reunion as 'Ajit Dada's last wish', the rival faction has officially denied any such merger talks. The transcript reveals that a tentative date of 12th February had been set for the merger before the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar. Furthermore, the Pawar patriarch expressed surprise regarding the elevation of Sunetra Pawar to the post of Deputy Chief Minister, stating he was unaware of the development. The programme features insights into the discussions involving senior leaders like Supriya Sule and explores whether the two factions will reconcile or continue to drift apart. As the political drama unfolds, the future of the Nationalist Congress Party remains uncertain amidst conflicting claims from both sides of the Pawar family.
On this Special Report, the focus is on Sunetra Pawar’s first reaction following her appointment as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Speaking after her elevation, she stated, 'I will continue to work tirelessly and honestly to realize the just, quality, base, and developed Maharashtra of his dreams.' The transition comes after the tragic and untimely demise of Ajit Pawar in an accident. Sunetra Pawar emphasized that the mantra provided by 'Ajit Dada' regarding the welfare of farmers, labourers, women, and youth remains her guiding principle. She acknowledged the immense responsibility of managing the entire state beyond the family bastion of Baramati. Highlighting the emotional weight of the moment, she noted that the support from the people of Maharashtra serves as her primary strength during these difficult times. The programme examines the challenges ahead for the new Deputy Chief Minister as she steps into this significant leadership role to fulfill the unfinished work of her predecessor.
This news bulletin reports on the latest developments in the Maharashtra cabinet portfolio distribution. Following the recent oath-taking ceremony, Sunetra Pawar has been assigned the state excise duty, sports, youth welfare, and minorities development portfolios. A significant shift has occurred in the finance and planning departments, which were previously held by Ajit Pawar; these have now been allocated to the Chief Minister. The reporter notes, 'All eyes were on the finance portfolio but at least for the interim being I understand that this is a portfolio that has not been given to the NCP here.' The discussion highlights the importance of the finance department for the NCP faction and the potential implications for the alliance. While some suggest the move is temporary due to the upcoming budget presentation, uncertainty remains regarding whether the portfolio will be returned to the NCP faction in the future.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the intensifying political drama within the Pawar family following Sunetra Pawar's oath-taking ceremony as the Deputy Chief Minister. The Unidentified speaker reports that Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar, and Rohit Pawar were notably absent and uninvited to the ceremony. When questioned about the development, Supriya Sule repeatedly responded with 'Ram Krishna Hari', choosing to remain silent on the family's political shift. The Unidentified speaker noted, 'She just said Ram Krishna Hari That's how she concluded and she avoided to speak over it.' The report highlights a meeting between Sule and Ajit Pawar's mother, Asha Tai, in Kathewadi shortly before the ceremony. Despite the family interactions following the reported passing of Ajit Pawar, the political divide remains prominent. The programme explores the uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the ongoing disagreement expressed by Sharad Pawar regarding these fast-moving political developments.
