28 January,2026 03:31 PM IST | Baramati | mid-day online correspondent
Leaders across political parties have expressed grief over Ajit Pawar`s sudden demise. PIC/X
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar's body will be cremated with state honors on Thursday at 11 am. Pawar, along with five others, died in a tragic plane crash at Baramati on Wednesday morning.
As a mark of respect to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra government announced a three-day mourning period from Wednesday. The mourning and closure orders were issued by the general administration department, Mantralaya. Senior officials across the state, including commissioners, district collectors, and police authorities, have been directed to take necessary action on its implementations across the state.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that during these three days, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all the buildings in the state where the national flag is regularly hoisted.
Also, no government programmes will be held during the mourning period. Further, a holiday has been declared for all the state government offices in Maharashtra on Wednesday.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to attend Pawar's last rites, news agency IANS reported.
Meanwhile, leaders across political parties have expressed grief over Pawar's sudden demise.
The Maharashtra government has also declared a holiday across all schools on Wednesday.
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said, "The news of the untimely demise of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajitdada Pawar, in an airplane crash is extremely painful and shocking."
"Through this heart-numbing, tragic incident, the state has lost an experienced, dutiful, and steadfast leader. His strong grip on the administration, decisiveness, and zeal for the all-round progress of Maharashtra have left a distinct mark on the state's politics. Steadfastness, discipline, punctuality, and unwavering diligence were the prominent facets of his personality," he added.
Meanwhile, the Examination Section announced that all afternoon examinations scheduled for January 28, 2026, have been rescheduled. The decision applies to affiliated colleges in Commerce and Management, Arts and Education, as well as the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) after the death of Ajit Pawar in Pune.
The revised examination dates will be announced later. College principals have been asked to inform students accordingly.
(With inputs from IANS)
