With Ajit Pawar’s sudden death, who will lead his NCP faction now? Key contenders named

The sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has plunged the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the powerful Pawar political family into an unprecedented moment of uncertainty.

Baramati, the family’s political stronghold, fell silent on Wednesday morning after the chartered Learjet 45 carrying Pawar crashed during a landing attempt, killing all on board. In one moment, Maharashtra’s political trajectory changed forever.

As the state mourns one of its most influential leaders, attention has shifted to a complex question: who leads the NCP now, and what happens to a party already fractured by a historic split?

Ajit Pawar and the Pawar Family Tree

Ajit Pawar, 66, was the son of Anantrao Pawar, the elder brother of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, making him the senior-most nephew in the family hierarchy. Over decades, Ajit emerged as Sharad Pawar’s most powerful political executor in Maharashtra, commanding both administrative authority and grassroots loyalty.

He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, and two sons — Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar. Ajit was also the first cousin of Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s daughter and Lok Sabha MP.

The extended family includes Rohit Pawar, MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed, who belongs to the next generation of leadership and has carved a distinct political identity.

The 2023 NCP Split: A Dynasty Divided

The current uncertainty cannot be understood without revisiting July 2, 2023, when Ajit Pawar split the NCP by joining the BJP-Shiv Sena government as Deputy Chief Minister. The Election Commission later recognised Ajit Pawar’s faction as the official NCP with the ‘clock’ symbol, while Sharad Pawar’s loyalists regrouped under NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

The split was not merely political; it exposed deep family and ideological rifts. Ajit emerged as the face of the breakaway faction, while Sharad Pawar retained moral authority and national stature.

Who Will Lead the Ajit Pawar Faction?

With Ajit Pawar gone, the immediate question is who inherits leadership of his faction. Within the family, Sunetra Pawar commands respect and has parliamentary experience, but she has largely stayed away from day-to-day organisational control.

Focus has therefore shifted to Ajit’s sons. Parth Pawar, the elder son, previously contested the Maval Lok Sabha seat and is familiar to voters, though his electoral track record is mixed. Jay Pawar, younger and less politically visible, remains largely outside the public spotlight.

Party insiders say any leadership transition will likely involve a collective arrangement, at least in the short term, with senior NCP leaders stepping in until clarity emerges.

Is an NCP Merger Back on the Cards?

Ajit Pawar’s death has also revived speculation about a possible reunion of the two NCP factions. Before the tragedy, reports suggested quiet reconciliation efforts were already underway. Both factions had jointly released a unified NCP manifesto for the January 15, 2026 municipal elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad — a significant political signal.

Now, with emotions running high, talk of a “ghar wapsi” has intensified. Sources indicate Sharad Pawar may explore ways to bring Ajit’s sons back into the fold of NCP (SP), potentially reuniting the fractured party under one banner.

Supriya Sule vs Rohit Pawar: The Next Succession Battle

At the centre of the long-term succession debate are Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar. Supriya, Sharad Pawar’s daughter, is widely seen as the national face of the party and his political heir. Rohit Pawar, often described as a rising leader, remained loyal to Sharad Pawar during the 2023 split and has steadily expanded his influence at the state level.

Political observers are now watching closely to see whether the family consolidates behind Supriya Sule or elevates Rohit Pawar to a larger organisational role — possibly at the expense of Ajit’s sons.

Will Sharad Pawar Delay Retirement?

Sharad Pawar, 85, had earlier hinted at retiring from active politics by the end of 2026. However, the loss of Ajit — his brother’s son and long-time political lieutenant — may force him to reconsider that decision.

For now, Sharad Pawar appears likely to stay on, at least temporarily, to stabilise both the party and the family legacy during one of the most turbulent chapters in Maharashtra’s political history.