Sharad Pawar

Pawar became Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the first time in July 1978, leading a Progressive Democratic Front government. At 37, he was the youngest Chief Minister of the state, marking the beginning of his long political career.

Pawar became Chief Minister for a second time in June 1988, leading the Indian National Congress government. He served until 1991, focusing on cooperative sector development and agricultural reforms.

Pawar became Chief Minister for a third time in March 1993, serving until 1995. His tenure included the aftermath of the 1993 Mumbai bombings and the implementation of economic liberalization policies in the state.

Pawar founded the Nationalist Congress Party in June 1999 after being expelled from the Indian National Congress for challenging Sonia Gandhi's leadership. The NCP became a major political force in Maharashtra and a key coalition partner.

Pawar became Chief Minister for a fourth time in October 1999, leading a Congress-NCP coalition government. He served until 2003, focusing on water management and the development of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Pawar served as Union Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries from 2004 to 2014 under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He implemented the National Food Security Act and oversaw agricultural reforms during a period of high food inflation.

Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar led a rebellion in July 2023, joining the BJP-Shiv Sena government. In 2024, the Election Commission recognized Ajit Pawar's faction as the real NCP, awarding it the party symbol. Sharad Pawar's faction was reduced to a minority.