Mumbai: The sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar has left the entire state stunned and grieving. Pawar lost his life on Wednesday morning after the small aircraft he was travelling in met with a fatal accident while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district. Four others on board the flight were also killed, turning an ordinary morning into a moment of deep tragedy for Maharashtra.
Soon after the news broke, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the state, announcing a complete shutdown of government work for the day and declaring three days of official mourning. Confirming the decision, he said, “Today we have declared a state holiday, and three days of state mourning have also been announced.” The Mahayuti government has decided to accord Ajit Pawar full state honours, with his last rites scheduled to be held later this evening.
Family members and senior leaders rushed towards Baramati as the scale of the tragedy became clear. NCP founder Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s uncle, left Mumbai along with his wife Pratibha Pawar. His cousin, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, also departed from Delhi with Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra, cutting short their presence in the national capital where they had been attending the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.
Baramati, regarded as Ajit Pawar’s political stronghold, witnessed an unprecedented shutdown as grief swept through the town. A complete bandh was observed, with shops, markets, and business establishments remaining closed throughout the day. Traders and local residents voluntarily lowered shutters, describing the loss as personal and irreplaceable for the region.
Outside the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College, thousands of NCP workers and supporters gathered, many chanting slogans and breaking down in tears. The atmosphere was heavy with emotion as supporters struggled to accept the sudden end of a leader they had followed for decades.
According to officials, the chartered aircraft had taken off from Mumbai at around 8:10 am and was scheduled to land in Baramati at approximately 8:50 am. The flight crashed just before landing, leaving no survivors. Those on board included Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, pilots Sumit Kapur and Sambhavi Pathak, and flight assistant Pinki Mali.
