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Maharashtra Mourns: Ajit Pawar's Last Rites with Full State Honors

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a chartered plane crash while traveling from Mumbai to Baramati. His last rites will be performed with full state honors on January 29, following a public viewing. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a state holiday and three days of mourning, describing Pawar's death as a personal loss. Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy CM of Maharashtra, having served six non-consecutive terms.

Key Points: Ajit Pawar's Last Rites, State Mourning Announced

  • Last rites at 11 am on Jan 29
  • State holiday and 3-day mourning declared
  • Died in chartered plane crash to Baramati
  • PM Modi condoled with Sharad Pawar
  • Longest-serving Deputy CM of Maharashtra
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Ajit Pawar's last rites to be performed with full state honours on January 29

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's last rites to be held with full state honors. CM Fadnavis announces state holiday and three-day mourning.

"Ajit Dada was a hardworking leader and did not shake in any circumstances... for me, it's a personal loss; a friend has left me. - Devendra Fadnavis"

Mumbai, January 28

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's last rites will be performed with full state honours, Maharashtra General Administration Department informed on Wednesday.

Kiran, Trustee of Vidya Pratishthan, said that Pawar's last rites will be conducted tomorrow at 11 am.

"The mortal remains of Ajit Pawar will be kept at Vidya Pratishthan ground for the public to pay their last respects today. The last rites will be conducted tomorrow at 11 am," Kiran told ANI.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar died in a chartered plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati this morning. Pawar was on his way to Baramati to campaign for the Zilla Panchayat elections.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a state holiday and three days of mourning following the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

During the three-day mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings across Maharashtra where it is regularly hoisted. No government entertainment programmes will be organised during this period. All state government offices across Maharashtra will remain closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Addressing the reporters, CM Devendra Fadanvis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family.

Mourning Ajit Pawar's demise, Fadnavis said that there is a "wave of sorrow" across Maharashtra. He recalled Pawar as a hardworking leader and noted his contributions to the state.

Referring to the tragic incident as a personal loss, Devendra Fadnavis said, "Ajit Dada was a hardworking leader and did not shake in any circumstances. It is a difficult day for Maharashtra. It takes time to develop such leadership. He had major contribution to Maharashtra's development. His demise is shocking, and for me, it's a personal loss; a friend has left me. It's a very big loss for the family."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ajit Pawar's uncle, veteran politician Sharad, and expressed his condolences.

The crash occurred around 8.48 am, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have dispatched probe teams to the site of the mishap to investigate.

Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra non-consecutively. He served in the position for six terms within various governments. He had worked as deputy chief minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.

He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Such a tragic and sudden end. To die in a plane crash while campaigning... it's heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to his family, especially his wife and sons. The state has truly lost a veteran leader.
R
Rahul R
Full state honours is the right decision. Regardless of political differences, he served the state for years. The DGCA investigation must be thorough—safety of chartered flights used by VIPs needs a serious review.
A
Ashley H
Reading this from abroad. The news is shocking. His political resilience was remarkable—deputy CM under so many different CMs. Wishing strength to the people of Maharashtra during this period of mourning.
K
Karthik V
A true son of the soil. His connection with the grassroots was his biggest strength. While I didn't always agree with his political maneuvers, no one can deny his commitment to his constituency. A void in Maratha politics.
N
Nisha Z
Om Shanti. The image of his body being kept for public *darshan* is so poignant. It shows how much he was loved by the common people. The three-day state mourning is a fitting tribute.

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