Ajit Pawar's sudden death in a plane crash has left a political vacuum in Maharashtra's complex landscape. As deputy chief minister, he was a prominent figure in India's richest state, adeptly navigating regional politics with an assertive style. His journey was marked by an ongoing struggle to step out of the shadow of his influential uncle, Sharad Pawar. After decades of political maneuvering and alliances, Ajit established his own faction within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), intensifying family rifts.

Born in 1959, his political career began in the 1980s under Sharad's mentorship, focusing on the family stronghold of Baramati. Despite being viewed as a potential successor, tensions arose as Ajit sought to assert his authority. Known for his blunt demeanor, he was sometimes overshadowed by his uncle's strategic prowess.

The apparent divide within the Pawar family became public in recent years, culminating in Ajit's breakaway from the NCP to form a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His unexpected passing has stalled discussions of potential reconciliation between the rival factions and raised questions about the party's future direction. As Maharashtra grapples with this leadership void, Ajit Pawar's legacy exemplifies how personal ambition intersects with family loyalty in politics.