“A Secular Leader Has Left Us”: Nawab Malik Announces Ajit Pawar Funeral Details

Mumbai: Senior NCP leader Nawab Malik expressed deep sorrow on Wednesday after the passing of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, calling the loss irreparable for both his family and the state’s political landscape.

Speaking to the media, Malik said the news had personally shaken him, as he shared a close bond with Ajit Pawar beyond politics. He described Pawar as a towering figure whose absence would be deeply felt across Maharashtra.

“This morning, Ajit Pawar passed away in a plane crash. This is a tragic incident for us. I had a personal relationship with him. Our family can never forget him. A secular leader of Maharashtra has left us, and no one can compensate for this loss. In this hour of grief, everyone is with the family. The funeral procession will start tomorrow morning at 9 AM, and the last rites will be performed at 11 AM…”

Malik’s statement reflected the collective grief within the Nationalist Congress Party, where leaders and workers have been struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss. He emphasised that Ajit Pawar’s contribution to Maharashtra’s politics and governance went far beyond party lines and ideology.