Maharashtra Mourns Ajit Pawar's Tragic Demise in Plane Crash

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra's longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister, was among the most prominent leaders in Maharashtra. President Droupadi Mumru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders from political spectrum recalled his contributions in service of people in long years in politics and paid tributes.

The plane carrying Ajit Pawar crash-landed near the runway threshold, killing all five people on board the chartered plane. Among the deceased were his personal security officer, a flight attendant and two pilots.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced three-day mourning in the state as a mark of respect to the departed leader. State government offices across Maharashtra remained closed on Wednesday. Ajit Pawar will be cremated with full state honours on Thursday.

PM Modi spoke with Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, uncle of Ajit Pawar, and expressed his condolences.

"Saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment of profound grief," he said in a post on X.

"Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," he added.

Fadnavis said it is irreparable loss for Maharashtra. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that an investigation into the crash will be conducted. "We will conduct a probe into this so that such incidents don't happen again in the future."

He said Ajit Pawar's demise is "deep loss for Maharashtra."

"He and I were working as a team for the progress of Maharashtra and now with his demise a part of the team is no more and also my elder brother is gone," Shinde told reporters.

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar's cousin, was seen deeply emotional as family members gathered to mourn the loss.

Ajit Pawar, seen as dynamic and result-oriented leader, served as Deputy Chief Minister in various governments. He had worked as deputy chief minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) organised a condolence meeting at the party's central office in the national capital. Ajit Pawar had also served as an MP.

The meeting was attended by a large number of the Party's national office-bearers, the President of the Delhi State Unit, other officials, and party workers, who paid heartfelt tributes to the departed soul and observed a two-minute silence in prayer for eternal peace.

Ajit Pawar's demise has left a void in NCP. He had split the party founded by Sharad Pawar to join hands with BJP.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were among Congress leaders who condoled Ajit Pawar's demise.

Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said Ajit Pawar died an "unnatural" death and there should be investigation.

"We will demand an investigation into this accident. It is a very sad incident. Ajit Pawar died a premature death. The passing away of a hard-working man has shocked us all. We are with his family in this hour. An investigation must take place because the accident is unnatural. All the leaders and corporate people fly for urgent work. It was a small plane, so why did this happen? It should be investigated," Kharge stated.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata also sought a proper investigation into the plane crash.

"Deeply shocked and stunned by the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati this morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family, including his uncle Sharad Pawar, and late Ajit's all friends and followers. The incident needs a proper investigation," she said in a post on X.

Sharad Pawar urged people not to politicise the death of his nephew. The veteran leader said that the plane crash was an accident and "politics should not be brought into this".

"This is a huge loss for Maharashtra. Maharashtra has lost a dynamic and decisive leader. Some people are saying there is some politics behind this, but it was an accident, and there is no politics involved. Politics should not be brought into this," Pawar said in a video message.

Eknath Shinde said that to suggest a conspiracy behind Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar's death in the Baramati plane crash is "extremely unfortunate."

"When such incidents happen, it is not appropriate to do politics in such a situation. This is unfortunate... To do politics and suggest that there is some conspiracy involved is extremely unfortunate," he said.

Ajit Pawar, who hailed from one of the most politically influential families in Maharashtra, is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP and two sons.

- ANI