Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning while attempting to land at Baramati in Pune district. The tragic incident occurred during a chartered flight from Mumbai to Baramati. Ajit Pawar (66) was on board the aircraft along with two accompanying personnel—a personal security officer (PSO) and an attendant—and two crew members (pilot-in-command and first officer). Authorities have confirmed that there were no survivors. Further details into the cause of the crash are awaited as investigations continue.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, Ajit Pawar’s death has drawn renewed attention to the Pawar family, one of Maharashtra’s most influential political dynasties.
Ajit Pawar’s immediate family
Ajit Pawar’s immediate family comprises four members:
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Ajit Pawar
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Sunetra Pawar, his wife and a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament
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Parth Pawar, his elder son
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Jay Pawar, his younger son
Ajit Pawar was often seen attending public and political events with his family, with Sunetra Pawar frequently accompanying him during election campaigns. His elder son, Parth Pawar, also contested a parliamentary election in the past, though he lost by a significant margin.
Extended Pawar family
Ajit Pawar belonged to a large and prominent family with deep political roots in Maharashtra:
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His elder brother, Srinivas Pawar, is a businessman. The two brothers were known to share a close personal bond.
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His sister is Vijaya Patil.
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Ajit Pawar’s uncle is Sharad Pawar, the founder of the Nationalist Congress Party and one of the most powerful and enduring political figures in the state.
A family at the centre of Maharashtra politics
For decades, the Pawar family has played a central role in shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape. While political differences have emerged within the family in recent years, their influence across state and national politics has remained significant.
Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in the Baramati plane crash marks a major turning point not only for the NCP but also for the broader Pawar family, whose political legacy has been closely tied to Maharashtra’s governance for generations.
