Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar was an Indian politician who served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra for multiple terms, becoming one of the state's most influential and longest-serving leaders. A member of the Nationalist Congress Party, he was known for his pragmatic leadership style and extensive experience in managing key portfolios such as finance, irrigation, and water resources. Throughout his career, he played a central role in Maharashtra's complex coalition politics, including his tenure as the Leader of the Opposition and his leadership of the NCP faction within the Maha Yuti alliance. He passed away on January 28, 2026, following a plane crash near Baramati.