Ajit Pawar Passes Away: Who Will Take the Helm of NCP? Insights into the Pawar Family Order

Maharashtra bid farewell to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday, as thousands gathered in Baramati to pay their respects. Supporters raised slogans like “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” (Long live Ajit Dada) in tribute to the late leader. Pawar’s sons, Parth and Jai, performed the final rites and offered their last respects amid emotional scenes. With Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash, speculation has intensified over who will now take charge of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

A Political Legacy in the Pawar Family

Ajit Pawar was a dominant figure in Maharashtra politics, particularly in Baramati, the Pawar family stronghold. The family includes several active politicians:

• Sharad Pawar (85) – Patriarch and senior-most leader
• Sunetra Pawar (62) – Ajit’s wife, Rajya Sabha member
• Supriya Sule (56) – NCP MP
• Rohit Pawar (40) – MLA
• Parth Pawar (36) – Ajit’s elder son, contested elections in the past
• Yugendra Pawar (33) – Family member active in politics
• Jai Pawar – Ajit’s younger son, age and political involvement less clear

While Sharad Pawar is the eldest, Ajit Pawar’s political leadership made him the de facto head of NCP in Baramati. With his passing, questions have arisen over succession and who will occupy the Deputy Chief Minister position, given that the Ajit-led faction controls 41 MLAs.

Potential Successors: Wife and Son in Focus

Political analysts suggest that Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, could temporarily assume leadership of the NCP, maintaining party unity. Following a brief period, Ajit’s elder son Parth Pawar may formally step into his father’s political shoes. Baramati Assembly constituency will also see a by-election, further shaping the succession plan.

Ajit Pawar’s significant political influence is evident from his record: he presented Maharashtra’s state budget 11 times, demonstrating his central role in governance. The NCP’s acting president, Prafull Patel, currently manages party affairs.

Parth Pawar Likely to Become Deputy CM

According to Maharashtra political analyst Dayanand Nene, Ajit Pawar had signaled that the two main factions of NCP would eventually reunite. His sudden and tragic death has dealt an emotional blow to the family. Nene notes that Sharad Pawar himself hinted at the importance of maintaining party unity after the loss. One likely scenario is that Sunetra Pawar will lead the party in the interim, Supriya Sule will manage the party’s central affairs, and Parth Pawar will assume the Deputy Chief Minister role in the near future.

The NCP now faces a crucial moment in Maharashtra politics, balancing family legacy with party cohesion after losing one of its most influential leaders.