The Pawar family stands among Maharashtra’s most powerful and enduring political dynasties, with its influence rooted in decades of leadership, electoral success, and grassroots mobilisation. At the centre of the family is Sharad Pawar, a veteran politician and founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), whose political career has shaped both state and national politics.
The family’s traditional stronghold has been Baramati in Pune district, a region that emerged as a key centre of political influence through repeated electoral victories, cooperative institutions, and long-standing public engagement. Over the years, several members of the Pawar family have entered public life, holding ministerial positions and contesting elections at various levels.
Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s nephew, has been a dominant political figure in Maharashtra and has served multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister. Known for his administrative and political acumen, Ajit Pawar has played a central role in state politics, even as differing political paths in recent years led to a split between him and Sharad Pawar within the NCP.
Sharad Pawar’s immediate family has also been politically active. His daughter, Supriya Sule, is a three-term Lok Sabha MP from Baramati and a key leader of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). The family’s involvement extends beyond elections into education, cooperative movements, and social initiatives, reinforcing its regional influence.
The third generation of the Pawar family has begun to emerge in public life, including leaders such as Rohit Pawar, MLA from Karjat–Jamkhed, and Parth Pawar, who has contested national elections. While political alignments differ within the family, personal ties continue to intersect with public life.
Despite internal political divisions, the Pawar family remains a significant force in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Its multi-generational presence highlights how legacy, leadership, and evolving political strategies continue to shape one of the state’s most prominent political lineages.
