Ajit Pawar's untimely death has shocked the nation. He tragically passed away in a plane crash near his home ground Baramati this morning. Politicians, celebrities and the people mourned his death on social media. The late Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, came from one of the most influential political families the state has ever seen. Beyond his own political journey, Pawar’s personal life and family tree reflect decades of involvement in public service, cooperatives and governance that shaped Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Roots of the Pawar family legacy
Ajit Pawar was born in 1959 in Deolali Pravara, Ahmednagar district, into a family closely associated with agriculture and cooperative movements. His grandparents, Govindrao and Sharda Pawar, were actively involved in farming and local cooperative institutions, laying the foundation for the family’s growing influence in rural Maharashtra.
At the centre of this legacy stands Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s uncle and one of India’s most seasoned political leaders. Born in Baramati in 1940, Sharad Pawar served multiple terms as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and later held key Union Cabinet portfolios, making the Pawar surname synonymous with power in state and national politics.
Ajit Pawar was the son of Anantrao Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s younger brother, and grew up closely observing the workings of politics and governance.
Sunetra Pawar: Wife and Political Partner
Ajit Pawar was married to Sunetra Pawar, the daughter of former Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Bajirao Patil. Over the years, Sunetra Pawar played an active role in social initiatives and frequently accompanied her husband during public outreach programmes.
She is currently a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from Maharashtra, representing the Nationalist Congress Party. Apart from politics, she holds leadership roles as the chairperson of Baramati Textile Company and serves as the CEO of the Environmental Forum of India, reflecting her involvement in industry and environmental advocacy.
According to latest reports, She, along with her son and others are on their way to Baramati from Delhi.
Children: Parth and Jay Pawar
The couple has two sons. Their elder son, Parth Pawar, stepped into politics and contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Maval, though he was unsuccessful. Parth is a B.Com graduate from HR College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai University, and remains active in public life. Their younger son, Jay Pawar, has chosen a different path, focusing on business and maintaining a low profile away from electoral politics.
A family that shaped Maharashtra politics
The Pawar family’s influence extends across generations, blending politics, cooperatives and governance. Ajit Pawar’s passing marks not just the loss of a senior leader, but a pivotal moment in the continuing story of one of Maharashtra’s most powerful political dynasties.
