Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar died after his private jet crashed in Baramati while landing on Wednesday, 28 January.
Pawar was on board the aircraft along with five others, all of whom did not survive the crash. He was visiting Baramati to address events and attend official party meetings.
Pawar was accorded state honours in Baramati Vidya Pratishthan, where his mortal remains were kept for supporters and party workers to pay their last respects. The last rites will take place in Baramati at 11:00 am on 29 January.
Ajit Pawar’s uncle and party supremo Sharad Pawar, Lok Sabha MP and cousin Supriya Sule, and his wife Sunetra Pawar, who were in Delhi for the inaugural day of the Budget Session, reached Baramati soon after Ajit Pawar's demise. His sons Parth and Jay Pawar are said to have identified his mortal remains at the hospital by the wrist watch on his hand, sources said.
Thousands of supporters of the NCP from both factions thronged the hospital and were seen in tears. The Maharashtra government also declared a three-day state mourning.
The cause of the crash is yet unknown.
Visuals from the crash site.
(Photo: PTI)
'No Politics Here...': Sharad Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar on Wednesday, 28 January, issued a statement, following West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's insinuation of a 'conspiracy' behind his death.
"Ajit Pawar's untimely death is a massive shock to Maharashtra. The state has today lost a capable and decisive leader. The loss that has occurred cannot be compensated, but not everything is in our hands.
"I wasn't planning to come before the media today, but I learned that some media outlets have taken a stance from Kolkata suggesting that there is some politics behind this accident. But there is no politics in this; it is purely an accident. The agony of this death is felt by Maharashtra, by all of us. Please do not bring politics into this. That's all I have to say," he said.
Condolences Pour In
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had been apprised of Pawar’s death.
“My heart is not ready to believe it,” Fadnavis said.
“Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has lost his life in a plane accident. There is an atmosphere of sadness in the state. Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss. In his personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together. At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra’s development, his untimely demise is a profound loss. We stand with his family. I, along with Eknath Shinde ji, will go to Baramati today,” he told the media.
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“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,” PM Modi said.
President Droupadi Murmu also offered her condolences.
“The news of the death of several people, including Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, is extremely tragic. The untimely demise of Ajit Pawar ji is an irreparable loss. He will always be remembered for his special contribution to the development of Maharashtra, especially in the cooperative sector. I express my deep condolences to his family, supporters, and admirers. May God grant strength to the families of all those who lost their lives in this accident to bear this blow,” Murmu said.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge took to social media to offer condolences.
"Having served the people of Maharashtra in various constitutional capacities, Shri Ajit Pawar shall be remembered as a seasoned politcian who discharged his responsibilities towards his people with sincerity and astuteness. May his soul rest in peace," Kharge said.
"It is a very unfortunate day for Maharashtra. This is a painful incident for me and whole of Maharashtra. Ajit Dada was a man of his word. We worked as a team when I was the CM, and he was Deputy CM. As team we had started the Ladli Behen Yojana, and Ajit dada played an important role in it," Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her condolences and called for a "proper investigation" into the incident.
"Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss," she said, adding:
"My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji's all friends and followers. The incident needs proper investigation."