Ajit Pawar: A Key Figure in Maharashtra Politics

Ajit Pawar: A Key Figure in Maharashtra Politics

Keywords: Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party, Deputy Chief Minister, Water Resources Minister

Ajit Pawar is an Indian politician who has served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra since 2019. A member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), he is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, the party’s founder.

Early Life and Career:

Born on July 22, 1959, in Baramati, Maharashtra
Graduated in Agricultural Engineering from the College of Agricultural Engineering, Pune
Entered politics as a Panchayat Samiti member in 1983

Legislative Assembly Career:

Elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1991
Served as Minister of State for Irrigation (1999-2004)
Became Minister of Water Resources (2004-2009)

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra:

First held the position in 2009 under the Congress-NCP government
Resigned in 2010 due to corruption allegations
Returned as Deputy Chief Minister in 2014 in the BJP-led government
Resigned in 2019 due to differences with the BJP
Rejoined the NCP and became Deputy Chief Minister again in 2019 under the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition

Key Projects and Initiatives:

Oversaw the implementation of the Rs. 70,000 crore Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, a water conservation project in Maharashtra
Launched the Mahastyayee Krishi Samruddhi Yojana, a crop insurance scheme for farmers
Led the coalition government’s efforts in containing the COVID-19 pandemic

Controversies:

Accused of corruption and money laundering
Resigned from the post of Deputy Chief Minister in 2010 following allegations of irregularities in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank
Charges against him were later dropped

Ajit Pawar remains a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, known for his administrative abilities and close ties to the NCP.