Ajit Pawar, aged 66 and widely known as ‘Dada’ in Maharashtra politics, was a towering figure who reshaped the state’s political landscape. Nephew of Veteran Leader Sharad Pawar, he began his career in Baramati, the family’s stronghold, rising through cooperative movements and electoral wins. His dramatic shifts, including the short-lived 2019 BJP alliance and the 2023 NCP split where he joined the BJP-led government as Deputy CM, marked him as a pragmatic power broker who prioritized governance and development over family loyalty.

Pawar's death in a plane crash has sent shockwaves through political circles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Pawar’s death as untimely and shocking, praising his grassroots connect and dedication to Maharashtra’s people. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced three days of state mourning, while leaders like Eknath Shinde and Mamata Banerjee expressed deep grief. The Pawar family, including Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, and Sunetra Pawar, rushed from Delhi to Baramati amid ongoing investigations into the cause.

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Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra, a Rajya Sabha MP, and sons Parth and Jay. His legacy remains tied to Baramati’s transformation into a prosperous region through irrigation and agricultural initiatives. Tributes continue to pour in for the hard-nosed yet effective leader who navigated alliances boldly and left an indelible mark on Maharashtra’s politics.

The incident underscores aviation safety concerns, with calls for a thorough probe into the chartered flight’s technical failures.

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