Sharad Pawar To Supriya Sule: Ajit Pawar's Family Tree

The political landscape of Maharashtra was deeply impacted by the untimely demise of Ajit Anantrao Pawar, a prominent figure from one of the state's most influential political families. His passing on a Wednesday morning in a tragic plane crash marked the end of a significant chapter in regional politics. Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, located in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, Ajit Pawar's roots ran deep in the rural heartland of western Maharashtra, with Baramati in Pune serving as the formidable political base for his family.

The origins of the Pawar family are steeped in agriculture and cooperative movements, which have historically been the backbone of Maharashtra's socio-economic fabric. His grandparents, Govindrao Pawar and Shardabai Pawar, were actively involved in these local cooperative institutions, laying the foundational values of community service and leadership that would later define the family's political trajectory.

Ajit Pawar was the son of Anantrao Pawar, the elder brother of the veteran politician and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder, Sharad Pawar, and his mother, Ashatai Pawar. The family tree also includes his brother, Shrinivas Pawar, who primarily manages family and business affairs, and his late sister, Vijaya Patil, who had a career in media before her passing in 2017. This close-knit family structure, while providing a strong support system, also meant that individual members often found themselves under the vast shadow of the family's political legacy.

His political journey commenced under the direct tutelage of his influential uncle, Sharad Pawar, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a towering figure in Indian politics. Ajit Pawar's initial foray into electoral politics saw him elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991 from the Baramati constituency, a seat he later graciously vacated for his uncle. This early move showcased both his loyalty and his understanding of the intricate power dynamics within the family and the party.

Following the establishment of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999, Ajit Pawar rapidly ascended through the party ranks, solidifying his position as a senior and indispensable leader. Over the years, he held numerous crucial ministerial portfolios within the Maharashtra state government, earning a reputation as a decisive and no-nonsense administrator, often affectionately referred to as 'Dada' by his supporters. His administrative acumen and political pragmatism were often lauded, making him a key player in state politics for decades.

However, the most recent and significant turn in his political career came in July 2023, when he orchestrated a monumental split within the NCP. This bold move saw him align his faction with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) to form a new coalition government in Maharashtra. This decision, while politically strategic, created a deep schism within the Pawar family, dividing loyalties and reshaping the political landscape of the state in unprecedented ways. It was a testament to his independent political ambitions and his ability to forge new alliances, even at the cost of familial unity.

Ajit Pawar was married to Sunetra Pawar, the daughter of the esteemed former Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Bajirao Patil. Together, they had two sons. Their elder son, Parth Pawar, ventured into active politics by contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha election from the Maval constituency. Their younger son is Jay Pawar. The political aspirations and activities of his immediate family members further underscored the pervasive influence of the Pawar name in public life.

The broader Pawar dynasty extends beyond Ajit Pawar's immediate family. Sharad Pawar, born in 1940 in Baramati, has his own immediate family comprising his wife, Pratibha Pawar, and their daughter, Supriya Sule. Supriya Sule is a prominent political figure herself, currently serving as the Member of Parliament from Baramati and a key leader in the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). Her children, Vijay and Revati, represent the next generation of the formidable political lineage.

Other notable members of the extended Pawar family actively involved in public life include Rohit Pawar, who serves as an MLA from the Karjat-Jamkhed constituency and is Sharad Pawar's grandnephew. Additionally, Yugendra Pawar, a younger relative, is also making his mark in political activities, indicating that the legacy of the Pawar family in Maharashtra politics is poised to continue for generations to come, adapting and evolving with the changing times while maintaining its deep-rooted influence.