The sudden demise of Ajit Pawar has once again plunged Beed district in Maharashtra into a state of political uncertainty and flux. Intense deliberations are now underway among political circles to determine who should take charge as the next guardian minister, filling the significant vacuum left by Pawar, who was widely regarded as a stabilising force in this historically volatile district.
A Tenure Marked by Challenges and Progress
Appointed as Beed's guardian minister in January 2025, Ajit Pawar served for nearly a year, during which his tenure was characterised by concerted efforts to manage a district long defined by deep-seated social tensions, fierce political rivalries, and the historical dominance of the Munde family. Beed has remained on edge in recent years, witnessing episodes of violence linked to the Maratha reservation agitation and deepening fault lines between Maratha and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities.
The political atmosphere had further deteriorated following the arrest of Valmik Karad — a close aide of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Dhananjay Munde — as the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping and murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. In the wake of that high-profile case, leaders across party lines, including some within the NCP, had openly cornered Dhananjay Munde, arguing that his influence contributed significantly to local instability and lawlessness.
A Strategic Appointment to Restore Order
Against this turbulent backdrop, Ajit Pawar's appointment was viewed as a strategic move by the Mahayuti government to restore administrative control and bring a semblance of order to the district. Senior officials recalled that Pawar gave the revenue and police machinery a clear mandate to function independently and without political interference, leading to visible improvements in governance and public administration during his brief tenure.
NCP MLA Vijaysinh Pandit noted that Beed was at a critical juncture when Pawar took the reins. "Beed district was at the heart of communal unrest when the late Ajit Dada Pawar took over. He steered the district toward development and promised a ‘Baramati 2.0' in Beed. His untimely death has orphaned the district," Pandit told media outlets. Pandit added that many now look towards Sunetra Pawar — who has since been sworn in as deputy chief minister — to fulfill the vision for the district that Ajit Pawar had outlined.
Calls for Strong Leadership and Continuity
"She worked extensively for the women of Baramati and established the Environmental Forum. I, along with my colleagues, look forward to welcoming her as the guardian minister of Beed," he said. NCP's fifth-term MLA Prakash Solanke echoed this sentiment, emphasising the urgent need for a leader with a strong administrative grip and proven track record. "Given Beed's sensitivity, she is the best person to take up the role due to her legacy and exposure," Solanke stated, highlighting the district's complex socio-political landscape.
Before his passing, Ajit Pawar had initiated several key development projects, including a substantial Rs 1,250-crore expansion of the Swami Ramanand Tirth Hospital, aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure in the region. BJP MLA Akshay Mundada noted that while the final decision rests with the chief minister, the district undeniably requires a leader who can maintain the current pace of development and ensure that these projects reach fruition.
Speculation and Political Equations
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas remarked that while Ajit Pawar's leadership is irreplaceable, the district needs a fair and disciplined administrator to address ongoing concerns. "In the current scenario, we want someone who is disciplined and fair enough to address the district's concerns. I am absolutely comfortable if Sunetra Pawar is given charge," Dhas said, indicating cross-party support for her potential appointment.
Speculation has also resurfaced regarding BJP minister Pankaja Munde as a possible candidate. However, some political quarters have previously demanded that the guardian ministership remain with a non-Munde family member to avoid reigniting tensions following the Maratha agitation and the Massajog murder case, which have already strained community relations.
With the NCP holding three key assembly seats in the district — represented by Prakash Solanke, Vijaysinh Pandit, and Dhananjay Munde — the political equations remain fluid and highly sensitive. Dhananjay Munde and BJP MLA Namita Munde could not be reached for comment as the district anxiously awaits clarity on its future leadership, underscoring the pervasive uncertainty that now defines Beed's political landscape.
