• Source:JND

Ajit Pawar Death News: With the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Pune's Baramati on Wednesday morning, the Maharashtra political landscape felt a big jolt, which may create a drastic change in the equation as the NCP leader, also known as 'Dada' has been the cornerstone in the state politics in the last couple of years.

The Maharashtra government declared a three-day state mourning till January 30, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings.

Be it Maha Vikash Aghadi (MVA) or Mahayuti, whosoever in power, Pawar secured the deputy CM post by using all tactics from the book of politics. He outsmarted his political mentor and uncle, Sharad Pawar. In fact, he fought and conquered senior Pawar and snatched the ownership of the National Congress Party (NCP).

Six Times Deputy CM, Missed Chief Minister Post

For him, it was a perennial case of "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride". He held the deputy CM post for a record six times. His dream to become the chief minister remained unfulfilled. Under his uncle's leadership, he failed to present himself as the chief minister face. Though he never hid his desire. Even after gaining control of the party, numbers never support him to think beyond the deputy chief minister post.

ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar Death: Maharashtra Govt Announces Three-Day State Mourning; What Remains Open And Closed?

Dramatic Early Morning Oath

On November 23, 2019, people in Maharashtra, as well as then NCP chief Sharad Pawar, woke up with the shocking news. Senior Pawar came to that some party MLAs and Ajit Pawar revolted and switched sides to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA. Ajit Pawar took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister in the early morning hours at Raj Bhavan. This was a very dramatic and shocking turn of events. At that time, there was a political deadlock over the chief minister post between Shiv Sena and the BJP in Maharashtra following the assembly elections. The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had broken down, and President's Rule was in effect. Suddenly, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar took oath at Raj Bhavan around 8 AM. This oath-taking ceremony was conducted very secretly, with Ajit Pawar breaking away from the NCP and supporting the BJP with a few MLAs.

However, this government lasted only 80 hours (or approximately 3 days) because the Fadnavis government could not prove its majority.

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Ajit Pawar resigned and returned to the NCP with Sharad Pawar. Later, Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed, and Ajit Pawar again became the Deputy CM.

Nephew Outmanoeuvred Uncle

In July 2023, junior Pawar outmanoeuvred his mentor and revolted against him again. This time, he was well prepared and outnumbered his uncle with the support of the maximum number of party MLAs and MPs, including senior leader Praful Patel. Dada walked away with most of the party's MLAs, along with the party's name and symbol. He won the legal fight and owned the main party with its name and symbol. Sharad Pawar's faction is now known as NCP (SP).

Allegations Against Ajit Pawar

His political career was marked by twists and turns, and he was always the survivor, be it the alleged Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam or the recent controversy over his son Parth's land deal in Pune. In 2013, Ajit Pawar stirred up a hornet's nest with comments ridiculing the acute water and power shortage in parts of the state. He was forced to issue a public apology after his remarks came in for all-round criticism.

ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar Family Tree: How Was 'Dada' Related To Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule? All About Maharashtra's Political Dynasty

Uncle-Nephew Reunion

Recently, Ajit Pawar showed soft corner for the uncle's faction and contested the Pune civic body elections together. It was quite unnatural reunion as Ajit Pawar remained in the Mahayuti government, yet allied with the MVA ally, NCP-SP to secure power in the home turf (Pune). Before the reunion could have shaped up, Ajit Pawar passed away. Now, it would be interesting to see, how the Pawar family move ahead in the political trajectory.

(With PTI inputs)


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