NCP seeks Padma Vibhushan for late Ajit Pawar, writes to CM Fadnavis
Synopsis
Six months after former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in an aircraft accident near Baramati, the NCP Legislature Party has formally written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding a posthumous Padma Vibhushan. The intra-coalition appeal — from a Mahayuti partner to the BJP-led CM — makes it politically difficult to ignore.
Key Takeaways
NCP Legislature Party formally requested the Maharashtra government on 9 July 2026 to recommend late Ajit Pawar for the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous) .
NCP Chief Whip Chetan Vitthal Tupe (Patil) sent the letter dated 8 July 2026 to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on behalf of all NCP MLAs and MLCs.
Ajit Pawar died on 28 January 2026 in an aircraft accident near Baramati .
Pawar served six terms as Deputy Chief Minister and reportedly presented the state Budget a record number of times as Finance Minister.
Any posthumous Padma Vibhushan nomination must be submitted to the Centre well ahead of Republic Day 2027 .
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Legislature Party on Thursday, 9 July 2026, formally requested the Maharashtra government to recommend the name of the late NCP National President and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous) — India's second-highest civilian honour. The demand comes six months after Pawar's sudden death in an aircraft accident near Baramati on 28 January 2026.
The Formal Request
NCP Chief Whip in the state Assembly, Chetan Vitthal Tupe (Patil), dispatched an official letter dated 8 July 2026 to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on behalf of all NCP Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Legislative Council (MLCs). The letter urges the Chief Minister to expedite a formal recommendation to the Central government without delay.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Tupe confirmed the move. 'I have urged the Chief Minister to recommend the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous) award for former Deputy Chief Minister late Ajit Pawar,' he said.
Legacy That Underpins the Demand
The letter to Fadnavis describes the late leader as a 'firm administrator' and an 'action-oriented leader' who, according to Tupe, 'ruled the hearts of the masses.' It highlights Pawar's six-term tenure as Deputy Chief Minister and his record-setting run as Finance Minister — during which he reportedly presented the state Budget more times than any predecessor, steering what the party describes as 'revolutionary changes' in regional infrastructure, roadways, metro connectivity, and irrigation.
'He remained a primary pillar for Maharashtra's farmers, driving direct financial relief during agrarian crises and strengthening the state's cooperative banking and sugar sectors,' Tupe said in his letter.
Political Context
The NCP Legislature Party also emphasised Pawar's efforts to ensure state-sponsored welfare schemes reached the grassroots. Terming his sudden passing as 'the end of an era', party leadership argued that conferring the posthumous honour upon 'Ajitdada' — as he was widely known — would be 'a matter of immense pride for the entire state.'
Notably, the demand is directed at the Mahayuti coalition government, of which the NCP is a constituent partner alongside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde. The intra-coalition nature of the appeal adds a layer of political weight to the request, making it harder for the Fadnavis administration to sidestep.
What Happens Next
For a Padma Vibhushan to be awarded posthumously, the state government must formally recommend the name to the Central government, which then evaluates nominations through the Padma Awards Committee. The annual awards are typically announced on Republic Day — meaning any recommendation would need to be submitted well before 26 January 2027. The NCP has urged the Mahayuti government to move quickly on the formal proposal.
Point of View
The party places Chief Minister Fadnavis in a position where refusal carries a real coalition cost. What the letter does not address is the Central government's own calculus — posthumous Padma Vibhushans are rare and typically reserved for figures of undisputed national stature. Ajit Pawar's legacy is substantial within Maharashtra but contested at the national level, and the BJP-led Centre will weigh the nomination accordingly. The real test of the demand's seriousness is whether the Maharashtra Cabinet formally clears the recommendation — or lets it quietly lapse past the nomination window.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the NCP demanding a Padma Vibhushan for Ajit Pawar?
The NCP Legislature Party argues that Ajit Pawar's six-term tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, record Budget presentations, and contributions to Maharashtra's infrastructure, agriculture, and cooperative sectors make him deserving of India's second-highest civilian honour. The demand follows his death in an aircraft accident near Baramati on 28 January 2026.
Who sent the letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis?
NCP Chief Whip in the state Assembly, Chetan Vitthal Tupe (Patil), sent the official letter dated 8 July 2026 to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on behalf of all NCP MLAs and MLCs.
How does the Padma Vibhushan posthumous nomination process work?
The state government must formally recommend the name to the Central government, which evaluates it through the Padma Awards Committee. Awards are typically announced on Republic Day — 26 January — meaning nominations must be submitted several months in advance.
When did Ajit Pawar pass away?
Ajit Pawar died on 28 January 2026 following an aircraft accident near Baramati in Maharashtra.
What was Ajit Pawar's political career?
Ajit Pawar served six terms as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and held the Finance Minister portfolio, during which he reportedly presented the state Budget a record number of times. He was also NCP National President at the time of his death.
