Maharashtra plunged into political uncertainty with the sudden demise of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, the state’s longest-serving DCM, who was poised to present his 12th state budget. With his portfolios temporarily reverting to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis until formal notifications are issued after the three-day mourning period, the government now faces the immediate challenge of navigating the budget session without its leader.Just a fortnight ago, Pawar had told TOI that his top priority was to reunite both NCP factions under the guidance of Sharad Pawar, expressing lifelong gratitude to Pawar Senior for shaping his political journey.
The 66-year-old leader’s death in a private jet crash near Baramati airport, about 100 km from Pune, leaves Maharashtra grappling not only with grief but also with unfinished political ambitions—from budget presentations to upcoming local body elections.AJIT PAWAR 1959 – 2026
- 1991 | Elected to LS from Baramati, quits later same year to let Sharad Pawar return to Parl
- 1991 | Elected as Baramati MLA; unbeaten for 8 terms till 2024
- 2009 | Becomes DCM for first time, gets fin portfolio next year
- 2012 | Quits amid allegations over ‘irrigation scam’, reinstated
Career Milestones In Maharashtra Politics
- Nov 2019 | Joins hands with BJP’s Fadnavis & sworn in as DCM; govt collapses within 80 hours
- Dec 2019 | Returns as DCM in Uddhav-led MVA govt
- July 2023 | Leads split in Sharad Pawar-led NCP, joins BJP-Sena govt as DCM
- Nov 2024 | Leads NCP to victory in state polls as part of Mahayuti, becomes DCM for sixth time
- 2025 | Presents state budget for 11th time as finance minister
The Leather Bag That Couldn’t Make It To Budget 2026Just last week, the finance department led by the late Ajit Pawar had cleared the purchase of a new leather bag — an enduring emblem of budget presentations across the country. One such bag, which he had used to carry his budget speech, successfully navigated the bureaucratic layers of approval and is now making its way to Mantralaya.But as fate willed it, the leather bag will now never reach its intended owner. The bag, costing around Rs 7,000, was meant to be used for the presentation of Maharashtra Budget 2026. And if everything had gone as per plan, on budget day Pawar would have held up the bag in front of the media for innumerable ‘clicks’. A second similar bag has been purchased for MoS (finance) Ashish Jaiswal who will take charge on behalf of the govt in the Legislative Council.Speaking to TOI , Jaiswal said he will miss the symbolic photo where both hold up the bag to cameras on budget day. “I can’t imagine that moment without dada, I will miss him dearly. I cannot imagine Budget day without dada,” said Jaiswal. The approval was part of routine preparations undertaken every year ahead of the budget. Officials said the bag was to be used for carrying budget documents and the speech copy during the session.FUNERAL TODAYAjit Pawar’s last rites to be held with full state honours in Baramati at 11am today. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah will attend the funeral,” a senior police officer told TOI . All state ministers and MLAs are expected to be present.
