The sudden and tragic death of Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister and chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday has plunged the state’s politics into uncertainty, sparking intense speculation over leadership succession and the future of the Mahayuti alliance.
Ajit Pawar, fondly called ‘Ajit Dada’ by supporters, perished along with four others when his chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport. He was 66. His cremation took place with full state honours in Baramati on Thursday amid thousands of mourners, attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, other dignitaries, and family members, including uncle Sharad Pawar. Maharashtra declared three days of mourning.
The vacuum left behind is massive: Ajit Pawar was a key strategist who orchestrated the 2023 NCP split to join the BJP-led government, serving as Deputy CM for the sixth time. His death raises questions about who will fill his role in both the party and the cabinet.
From the Pawar family, three names emerge strongly:
Sunetra Pawar, Ajit’s wife and Rajya Sabha MP, tops the list, with several leaders, including Narhari Zirwal, demanding she take over as Deputy CM and possibly party president.
Parth Pawar, the eldest son, boasts prior electoral experience, despite past setbacks.
Jay Pawar, the younger son, is viewed as a low-profile but promising youth face.
Outside the family, contenders include:
Praful Patel, the current working president and organisational heavyweight, is one of the contenders.
Chhagan Bhujbal, a senior OBC leader with ministerial experience, is another contender.
Ajit’s NCP faction’s state president and Rajya Sabha MP is Sunil Tatkare.
Post-funeral meetings between leaders like Patel, Bhujbal, and Dhananjay Munde and Sunetra Pawar have sparked buzz, though Bhujbal described them as courtesy visits. Analysts note potential for NCP faction unification, as hinted by Ajit’s recent moves toward reconciliation with Sharad Pawar. The Mahayuti government faces a critical test in maintaining stability.
As tributes pour in calling Ajit Pawar an irreplaceable decision-maker, Maharashtra’s political landscape braces for a high-stakes transition.