The nation is in mourning following the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash on Tuesday morning near Baramati in Pune district. His last rites will be held with full state honours on Thursday at 11 am at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, the Nationalist Congress Party confirmed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend the funeral, along with senior leaders from across the political spectrum.
The Maharashtra government has announced three days of state mourning from January 28 to January 30 as a mark of respect to the late leader. During the mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings across the state, and no official entertainment programmes will be organised. The decision reflects Ajit Pawar’s long-standing influence on Maharashtra’s political and administrative landscape.
The fatal accident occurred shortly after the chartered aircraft, operated by VSR Ventures, took off from Mumbai and attempted to land at Baramati airport. The aircraft, a Learjet 45, crashed during the landing attempt, killing all five people on board. Along with Ajit Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members — the pilot-in-command and the first officer.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said preliminary information suggests that visibility at Baramati airport was poor at the time the aircraft was attempting to land. Teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have reached the crash site and begun a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Aviation experts have also pointed out that the absence of advanced landing instruments may have contributed to the tragedy, a claim that is now being examined as part of the probe.
Condolences have poured in from leaders across party lines. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described Ajit Pawar as a close associate and said his passing has created a void that cannot be filled. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that although Pawar chose a different political path, he never allowed personal relationships to suffer. He remembered him as a disciplined administrator with a firm command over financial matters. BJP leaders, including party president Nitin Nabin, also paid tribute, saying Pawar always placed Maharashtra’s development and public welfare above everything else.
Ajit Pawar was regarded as one of the most influential and decisive leaders in Maharashtra politics. Over the years, he played a key role in shaping the state’s governance and financial policies, earning a reputation for his sharp administrative skills and no-nonsense approach. His sudden demise has left the political establishment shaken and millions of supporters grieving across the state.
Security arrangements have been tightened in Baramati as a large turnout of supporters, party workers, and dignitaries is expected for the funeral. Traffic diversions and crowd-control measures are being finalised to ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly. As Maharashtra prepares to bid farewell to one of its most prominent leaders, the loss of Ajit Pawar marks the end of a significant chapter in the state’s political history.