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Thursday, March 12, 2026
TopicAjit Pawar

Topic: Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar, popularly called Ajit Dada, is a prominent Maharashtra politician, and nephew of Sharad Pawar, the co-founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and former union minister.

In 2023, Ajit Pawar, along with some MLAs, split from the NCP and joined the Eknath Shinde-BJP government in the state. He then went on to serve as a co-deputy CM along with the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis under CM Eknath Shinde. A year prior to this, Ajit Pawar was the leader of the opposition in the state assembly and the finance minister for three years under the then MVA government of the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena. Pawar has a history of defections; in 2019, too, he defected from the party to become the Deputy CM under Fadnavis, which lasted just a few days.

Ajit Pawar is an MLA from Baramati, a family constituency for the Pawars. He has represented Baramati in the Vidhan Sabha since 1995, and previously served as Minister of State for Agriculture and Power, Minister of State for Soil Conservation, Power, and Planning in 1992, and Cabinet Minister responsible for the Irrigation Department in 1999.

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Supriye Sule, Rohit Pawar rule out NCP merger. ‘Talks ended with Ajit dada’s death’

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Mumbai: Amid uncertainty over a possible reunion between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) following the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief...

New Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar now takes over husband Ajit’s guardian ministership for Pune & Beed

Manasi Phadke -
The Mahayuti government is so far undecided on the key portfolios of finance, planning, and excise, among others, that Ajit Pawar also held.

One NCP keen, the other cautious—the power play behind merger talks after Ajit Pawar

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The two NCPs, which had as good as united ahead of zilla parishad polls, had been talking about coming together for good officially after that election under leadership of Ajit Pawar.

Ajit Pawar’s death brings new churn to Maharashtra politics. Pawar family still holds the key

Purva Chitnis -
To carry forward Ajit Pawar’s political legacy, Sunetra Pawar would be given the mandate. It means power may remain in his family, and the other faction may have to wait longer.

NCP roots for wife Sunetra to replace Ajit Pawar as Dy CM & party chief, wants swearing-in at earliest

Manasi Phadke -
Bhujbal, Tatkare, Patel and Munde meet CM, discuss deputy CM post and finance portfolio that Pawar held. But NCP leaders yet to speak to Sunetra Pawar, who is busy with post-funeral ceremonies.

From Baramati & beyond, supporters flock to pay last respects to Ajit Pawar. ‘No one can take his place’

Kasturi Walimbe -
The crowds at the Vidya Pratishthan grounds reflected Baramati’s social diversity, underscoring Pawar’s image as a leader whose appeal cut across community lines.

A teary farewell in Baramati: In death, Ajit Pawar brings political rivals, entire Pawar clan together

Kasturi Walimbe -
Maharashtra deputy CM’s last journey drew massive crowds from across state, united in grief at Baramati, his political launchpad & a seat he represented in legislature since 1991.

Clock ticking: With Ajit Pawar gone, what lies ahead for NCP

+TFP Purva Chitnis -
Minus Ajit Pawar, NCP has to devise survival strategy. Should it merge with Sharad Pawar faction? Analysts say second rung leaders like Praful and Tatkare don't have what it takes to lead party.
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