On 5th December, 2024 in Raj Bhavan, Maharashtra a mahayuti trio—Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ajit Pawar is longest serving Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra from 1999 to 2014 with Congress-NCP coalition then later in 2019 November onwards he was sitting Deputy Chief Minister till now. Ajit Pawar is king maker rather being, he has helped both alliance either Congress or BJP led alliance. Who is really Ajit Pawar?
Ajit Pawar was born on July 22th, 1959 in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. He completed his schooling in Pune but ventured into politics at an early age, inspired by his uncle Sharad Pawar, the founder Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). In the early 1980s, he was working under the guidance of his uncle, later he contested in 1991 from Baramati constituency, known to be Pawar family stronghold. From 1992 to 199 he held various ministries including irrigation, power, and rural development. Later in 1991 till 2014 he was the Deputy Chief Minister, then till 2019 he was leader of opposition, from 2019 he continued to be Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
He earned the name “Dada”, meaning elder brother among his supporter due his reserved nature, fiery speeches and strategic moves in politics. His political style is often known as pragmatic and no-nonsense approach and regarded as a strong administrator who focus on development and governance. In his tenure he has introduced Ujani Dam Canal Network and irrigation schemes, financial reforms including efficient tax collection, infrastructure, debt management and championed in loan waivers for farmers although it bad for economy in long run. Also, he has developed Pune metro projects, Smart City projects and housing schemes, and his famous leadership during COVID-19 response ensuring hospital preparedness, oxygen supply, and financial support to affected communities.
Ajit Pawar often has ambition to play a central role in Maharashtra’s political landscape, while focus on strengthening the NCP fraction which split during 2023, and could seek play larger role in national politics, particular if the NCP becomes part of a broader alliance at the central level. He likely focusses his tenure on loan waivers and financial supports for farmers and strengthen Maharashtra economy with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and developing Special Economies Zones (SEZs).
