Ajit Pawar, 65, has served as Deputy Chief Minister three times since 2019. Prior to 2014, he has held the position twice in the Congress-NCP regime. Following the footsteps of his influential uncle, Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar entered politics in 1982, when he was elected to the board of directors of a sugar cooperative. Mr Pawar, who faced accusations of opportunism following his recent split with his uncle Sharad Pawar—a charge he has consistently denied, expressed gratitude to the people of Maharashtra for the massive mandate given to the Mahayuti alliance on Saturday.