Maharashtra in shock: Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash — funeral sees emotional gathering of political heavyweights
Baramati/IBNS: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was laid to rest on Thursday in Baramati, following a tragic plane crash on Wednesday morning that claimed his life along with four others onboard.
Thousands of supporters gathered at Baramati’s Vidya Pratishthan ground, where the funeral, which began at 9 am, was attended by Pawar’s immediate family — wife Sunetra and sons Parth and Jay — alongside his uncle and former Chief Minister Sharad Pawar.
Pawar’s cousin, MP Supriya Sule, was also present. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other political leaders paid their respects.
Ajit Pawar, 66, who led his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati for a political campaign.
A six-time legislator from Baramati, he was considered the principal mass leader of the Pawar family after Sharad Pawar and held multiple terms as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, overseeing key portfolios including Finance.
In 2023, Pawar led a split in the NCP and joined the BJP–Shiv Sena-led government under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a move that reshaped Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Known for his blunt style and strong grassroots influence in western Maharashtra, Pawar remained central to state politics until his death.
His passing leaves a significant vacuum in Maharashtra politics, with potential ramifications for the ruling Mahayuti alliance and discussions on a possible reunion with the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Final moments caught on camera: Ajit Pawar’s plane tilted before crash
New CCTV footage has emerged showing the Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tilting sharply to the left moments before it crashed near the runway at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board.
India, US ‘very close’ to trade deal, talks made ‘significant progress’: Report
India and the United States have made “very significant progress” in their ongoing trade deal negotiations and are “very close” to a positive outcome, government sources told NDTV, even as New Delhi concluded the political phase of its free trade agreement with the European Union.
Sharad Pawar dismisses conspiracy claims in Ajit Pawar plane crash
An emotional Sharad Pawar on Wednesday ruled out any conspiracy in the plane crash that killed his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, calling it a “pure accident” and urging people not to politicise the tragedy.
Drugs, narco-terror, security: Why the US–India meeting in Washington matters?
Indian and US officials have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation to dismantle the illegal production and trafficking of illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals that threaten communities in both countries. The resolve was underscored during the inaugural Drug Policy Executive Working Group meeting held in Washington, DC, on January 20–21.
Latest News
Rich tribute to Bhupen Hazarika at Kolkata Book Fair marks birth centenary
Airtel gives 360 million users Adobe Express Premium free for a year—create pro-quality content instantly!
Ranveer Singh booked for mimicry of Rishab Shetty’s Kantara act, allegedly insulting Chavundi Daiva
Final moments caught on camera: Ajit Pawar’s plane tilted before crash