Ajit Pawar Becomes Maharashtra’s Deputy CM For Record Sixth Time: A Deep Dive Into His Political Legacy

The NCP AP Chief Ajit Pawar became Deputy Chief Minister for the sixth time on Thursday. Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Maharashtra’s Chief Ministe for the third time, after a landslide victory of Mahayuti alliance in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections.

However, Ajit Pawar has a very dramatic relationship with the uncle, mentor, Sharad Pawar, was part of this journey as well.

Ajit Pawar was born on July 22, 1959. His family is closely associated with the cooperative sector and political life. His uncle, Sharad Pawar, has been a leading figure in Maharashtra politics. Ajit entered the world of cooperative politics following his uncle’s footsteps.

At an age of just 23, he joined the board of a cooperative sugar factory. He was an elected chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank between 1991 and that position he held for 16 years. The same year, he had been elected as MP from the Baramati constituency. For this seat, he took a back seat to make a way for Sharad Pawar when he joined P V Narasimha Rao’s cabinet as defense minister.

Political Pyramid In Maharashtra

Ajit Pawar’s ascendancy in Maharashtra politics gained pace once he entered the state’s legislative field. He won the Maharashtra Assembly election in 1995 from the Baramati seat, a position he has been able to retain for seven successive terms. In 2024, he again emerged victorious by defeating his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, who contested from the NCP-SP alliance.

Ajit Pawar has had a series of significant ministerial positions in his political career. He was the Irrigation Minister of Maharashtra from October 1999 to December 2003 under Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. He then took on the Rural Development Ministry for one year and then the Water Resources Ministry in 2004. Along with his ministry positions, he was made the in-charge minister of the Pune district, thus increasing his influence over the region.

Six Tenures As Deputy Chief Minister

Ajit Pawar’s political career can be summarized in a series of terms as Deputy Chief Minister. His first term was from 2010, and after that, he has also served as Deputy Chief Minister on five other occasions. He also worked during the term of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s government from December 2012 to September 2014.

What took place during the 2019 results was that a shocking twist developed for Maharashtra when Ajit Paw initially aligned himself with Devendra Fadnavis who eventually took oath as Deputy Chief Minister but, in return, shifted sides and deserted Fadnavis only to get back into Sharad Pawar’s good book.

Another political flexibility of Ajit Pawar was shown when he became Deputy Chief Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. After the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance collapsed following the Shinde rebellion, Ajit Pawar again joined the Mahayuti led by the BJP and ensured his fifth term as Deputy Chief Minister in 2023.

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