The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a detailed probe into the plane crash at Baramati airport that claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on Wednesday. Learjet 46 crash-landed with five on board, says DGCA According to aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Learjet 46 aircraft, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at Baramati with five people on board, including crew members. Flight data, engine systems and logbooks to be examined A special AAIB investigation team has been constituted to examine the circumstances that led to the fatal crash. As part of the inquiry, investigators will recover and analyse key technical systems, including the flight data recorder, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and the Digital Engine Electronic System (DEES). The probe team will also collect airframe and engine logbooks, work orders, on-board documents and major inspection records from the aircraft operator for scrutiny. In addition, DGCA records related to the aircraft and crew will be examined. Radar data, ATC tapes and CCTV footage part of probe To reconstruct the sequence of events, investigators will obtain radar data recordings, CCTV footage, air traffic control (ATC) tapes and hotline communication records. Statements of eyewitnesses and concerned personnel will also be recorded during the course of the investigation. State announces mourning as leaders recall Ajit Pawar’s legacy Ajit Pawar died in the charter aircraft crash while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati on Wednesday morning. He had been in Mumbai on January 27 to attend a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Following Pawar’s death, Fadnavis announced a statewide public holiday and three days of state mourning. He said the decision regarding Pawar’s last rites would be taken after consultations with the family. Aged 66, Ajit Pawar was the nephew of veteran leader and NCP founder Sharad Pawar and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. He was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in non-consecutive terms, having held the post six times under governments led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and his two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. (With inputs from PTI)
28 January,2026 03:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Lower House of the Parliament on Wednesday made an obituary reference to the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died during a plane crash in Baramati this morning. The NCP chief was a Lok Sabha MP during the 10th Lok Sabha in 1991. The 66-year-old leader died in a charter plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Bramati this morning. He was in Mumbai on January 27, where he attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadanvis has announced a state holiday and three days of mourning. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadanvis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family. Ajit Pawar, 66, was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. Several MPs have expressed condolences to the Pawar family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as a mass leader with deep grassroots. He highlighted Pawar's strong grasp of administrative affairs and his commitment to empowering the poor and underprivileged. "Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," the X post from PM Modi said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condoled the demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, both Houses of Parliament also made obituary reference for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away in December last year, while she was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. Lok Sabha mourned the demise of former MPs Shalini Patil, Bhanu Prakash Mirdha, Satyendra Nath Brohmo Chaudhury, Suresh Kalmadi and Kabindra Purkayastha. While the Rajya Sabha made obituary references for former MPs L Ganesan and Suresh Kalmadi. The Budget Session 2026-27 began with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint session of Parliament, outlining the Union government's vision for social justice, inclusive growth, and a developed India. Both houses were adjourned on Wednesday afternoon and will meet on Thursday at 11 am. The Union Budget will be presented on February 1. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 03:17 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a PIL of an NGO alleging that the official probe into the June 12 Air India plane crash violated citizens' fundamental rights to life, equality and access to truthful information. Air India's Boeing 787-8 flight AI171 en route to London's Gatwick airport was operated by pilot-in-command Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Captain Clive Kunder. The crash took place after the flight took off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew on board. On Wednesday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was told by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for PIL petitioner NGO 'Safety Matters Foundation', that so far, neither the Centre nor the the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) have filed their replies to the petition. "The entire pilots association are saying there is a problem in the Boeing 787 aircraft which needs to be grounded," Bhushan submitted. "SIR (hearing on pleas related to special intensive revision of electoral rolls pleas) will be over today, and we will give you a short date," the CJI told Bhushan. On November 13, last year, the top court said deceased pilot Captain Sabharwal of Air India was not blamed in the AAIB's preliminary report into the crash. It had also issued notice to the Centre and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on a plea of Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the father of Captain Sabharwal. Pushkaraj Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots moved the Supreme Court for a court-monitored inquiry headed by a former apex court judge into the crash of the Air India flight. The top court was hearing three petitions filed by an NGO, a law student and the father of the deceased pilot seeking an independent, court-monitored investigation into the crash. Among the 241 dead were 169 Indians, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian and 12 crew members. The lone survivor of the crash was Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national. Bhushan said a parallel inquiry should be conducted like a court of inquiry into the accident of such a major scale. He submitted that serious accidents require a court of enquiry and not just an investigation by AAIB. On September 22, while entertaining the plea of the NGO, the top court termed as "unfortunate and irresponsible" the selective publication of a preliminary report on the Air India crash which outlined lapses on the part of pilots and paved the way for a "media narrative". This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 02:59 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIIn an effort to strengthen outreach and foster a sense of security among students from the Northeastern states, Maharashtra Police successfully conducted the ‘Northeast Connect’ program across the state on Republic Day, January 26. As per the officials, the program was conducted as per the directions of the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra. The initiative was organized in major cities, including Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Amravati, Solapur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sangli, and Kolhapur. In several districts, the program went beyond police commissionerates and SP offices, extending to police stations to ensure wider participation and outreach. Students interacted with civil officials and police officers. Students from Northeastern states residing and studying in Maharashtra took part in Republic Day celebrations, including flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural programs. They also interacted with senior police and civil officers, sharing their experiences, concerns, and suggestions. Officials further assured the students of full support and cooperation, emphasizing the police force’s commitment to their safety and well-being. At some locations, students were briefed on Dial-112 emergency response services, CCTV surveillance systems, and the functioning of police control rooms to enhance awareness about available safety mechanisms. Police officials said that the program received an overwhelmingly positive response, with students expressing happiness and increased confidence after interacting with officers. Also, the senior officials, including Commissioners of Police, Collectors, Divisional Commissioners, Range-level officers, Superintendents of Police, Guardian Ministers, and Special IGs, personally interacted with students at several venues. Officials said the initiative helped build trust, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging among students from the Northeastern states living in Maharashtra.
28 January,2026 02:39 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilSeveral schools in Chandigarh were evacuated after they received bomb threat emails on Wednesday, said police. After the school authorities informed the police about bomb threat emails, policemen reached school premises and conducted thorough searches of the educational institutions, they said. At least five schools, including private ones, received the threat emails. Bomb disposal and sniffer dog squads were rushed to school premises to carry out searches. Students and school staff have been evacuated, they said, adding that security was stepped up around the schools. Students on way to the schools were sent back home, they said. The school authorities told the police that they received bomb threat emails on Wednesday morning and thereafter, they informed the police. The incident comes close on the heels of similar incidents in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala in Punjab and Ambala in Haryana, where some schools got similar threats which later turned out to be hoaxes. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 01:45 PM IST | Chandigarh | PTIPresident Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday addressed a joint session of Parliament on the first day of the Budget Session 2026-27, outlining the Union government's vision for social justice, inclusive growth, and a developed India. The President delivered her address to members of both Houses assembled together in the Lok Sabha Chamber on the opening day of the Seventh Session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the 270th Session of the Rajya Sabha. In her address, President Murmu said she was delighted to address Parliament, recalling that the previous year was memorable for celebrating India's rapid progress and rich heritage. She noted that 150 years of Vande Mataram were celebrated across the country, with citizens paying tribute to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. "The country celebrated the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bhadur Ji. During the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the entire country paid him tribute and remembered his tribute to the tribal community. The events related to the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel further strengthened the sense of Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat. The entire country became witness to how Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika's birth anniversary celebrations of filled the country with music and a sense of unity. When the country remembers the contribution of its ancestors, the new generation gets inspiration which further speeds up our journey towards Viksit Bharat," she said. Focusing on social justice, the President underlined that Babasaheb Ambedkar consistently emphasised equality and social justice, values enshrined in the Constitution. "Every citizen of the country should get their full rights without any discrimination. My Government is committed to true social justice," she said. As a result, she noted, nearly 25 crore people have come out of poverty in the last decade, with efforts to empower the poor being accelerated further in the government's third term. "My Government is working for Dalits, the backwards, tribal community and everyone with complete sensitivenss. The vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is becoming a positive impact on the lives of every citizen. At the beginning of 2014, social security schemes reached just 25 crore citizens. With the efforts of the Govt about 95 crore Indians have access to social security schemes now," she added. The President also highlighted the new act VB-G RAM G that thas replace the MNREGA. As she praised the provisions of the act the Treasury benches thumped the tables in appreciation while opposition MPs stood and protested and demanded that the law be withdrawn. "For employment and development in rural areas, Viksit Bharat-G RAM G law has been formed. With this new reform, there will be 125 days of employment guarantees in villages," the President. President Murmu also said that with 2026, India has entered the second stage of the 21st century, and the achievements of the last 25 years have laid a strong foundation across sectors, calling this year a crucial base of the journey towards Viksit Bharat. Earlier, the President received a Guard of Honour on her arrival at Parliament of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were present during the address. The Budget Session will span 30 sittings over 65 days, concluding on April 2, with a recess from February 13 to March 9 for scrutiny of Demands for Grants by Standing Committees. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 01:45 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | ANIHundreds of tourists remained stranded in Kashmir as the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway --the only all-weather road link connecting the valley with the rest of the country -- was closed for traffic for the second day on Wednesday. The closure of the highway has left many travellers stuck here. "I have been stuck here for the last two days. We had come here to enjoy snow, but it is this snow that has become our punishment," Kailash, a tourist from Rajasthan told PTI Videos. He appealed to the authorities to clear the road "anyhow" and "allow us to go as our families are waiting for us". "The flights were cancelled yesterday and now the fare has increased. They are asking for at least 20-25 thousand. We request you to clear the road as it is causing us distress. If this approach remains, then next time no tourist will come to Kashmir, we will not come for sure if it continues like this," he added. Another tourist, Mohit Sharma, said the closure of the highway for the second day has caused many hardships to the people. "They are not allowing traffic even after the weather has improved. We want to go home, but are stuck here unfortunately. It is causing us many hardships. We are forced to spend extra than our budget. We want them to allow traffic so that the people who are stranded and have nowhere to go, could leave," Sharma said. While the stranded tourists are waiting anxiously for the highway to reopen, some said that they were "fortunate" to get stuck in the snow-covered valley. "I won't say that I am stuck. I do not feel that I am stuck. Everyone is not fortunate to be stuck here, I am," Shipra Bharadwaj, a professor at Delhi University who is on her fourth trip to the Kashmir valley, said. Bharadwaj said she was advised this time to visit the valley in 'Chilla-i-Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period during which the chances of snowfall are maximum and most frequent. "I had never felt snow fall over my head. This time I did. I am fortunate," she added. The snowfall on Tuesday forced the closure of the highway and the suspension of the flight operations at the Srinagar airport. While the flight operations resumed on Wednesday after improvement in the weather, the highway continued to remain closed for traffic. The authorities are making efforts to restore the national highway (NH-44) as it continued to remain closed on the second day on Wednesday due to snow accumulation and slippery conditions, the officials said. They said snow clearance operations were in progress to restore the traffic on the highway. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) personnel are sprinkling salt and urea on the road to improve conditions for safe driving as parts of the highway remained slippery due to frosty conditions after the snowfall, they said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 01:44 PM IST | Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) | PTIThe Congress on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge remembering him as a seasoned leader who discharged his responsibilities with sincerity and astuteness. Rahul Gandhi calls news extremely heartbreaking Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also condoled Pawar’s demise. In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi said the news of the death of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and his fellow travellers in the aircraft accident was “extremely heartbreaking.” He said he stood with the people of Maharashtra in this moment of grief and extended condolences to the Pawar family and their loved ones. Plane crashed while attempting to land near Baramati Ajit Pawar (66) and four others were killed when the aircraft carrying them crashed in Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred while the plane was attempting to land near Baramati. Kharge remembers Pawar as sincere, astute leader In a post on X, Kharge said the tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash was deeply shocking and profoundly distressing. “It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead. No words can adequately express the grief the bereaved family must be enduring,” he said, extending condolences to Pawar’s family, supporters and well-wishers. “Having served the people of Maharashtra in various constitutional capacities, Shri Ajit Pawar shall be remembered as a seasoned politician who discharged his responsibilities towards his people with sincerity and astuteness,” Kharge added. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condoles death of Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the news of Pawar’s death and that of others in the horrific plane crash was extremely heartbreaking. In a post on X in Hindi, she offered condolences to Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and the entire family, as well as to Pawar’s supporters. "May God grant peace to the departed souls. Deepest condolences to revered Sharad Pawar Ji, Supriya Sule Ji and their entire family, and to the supporters of revered Ajit Pawar Ji," she said in a post in Hindi on X. According to Flight Radar data, the aircraft took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and disappeared from radar around 8.45 am. Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections. There were five people on board when the aircraft crashed at around 8.50 am, a police official said.
28 January,2026 01:09 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed deep grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, describing the loss as untimely and extremely shocking. PM recalls Pawar’s grassroots connect and public service In a post on X, the Prime Minister said Ajit Pawar was a mass leader with a strong connection at the grassroots level and was widely respected for his tireless work in public life. Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026 Ajit Pawar (66) and four others were killed when the aircraft they were travelling in crashed near his hometown Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. "Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots-level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," PM Modi said. PM expresses condolences for all lives lost in crash In a separate message, the Prime Minister also condoled the loss of lives in the accident. "Saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment of profound grief," he said. Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026 Union ministers pay tribute to Pawar’s legacy Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers." While expressing his grief, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “The news of the sudden demise of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar ji is extremely shocking, unfortunate, and heartbreaking. My heartfelt tribute to him. Over the past many years, while working together in the state legislature, I shared an extremely close bond with Ajit dada. His administrative acumen, developmental vision, and innate ability to connect with people have ensured that Ajit dada always holds an unassailable position in Maharashtra's politics. The untimely passing of this people's leader, who harbored aspirations for Maharashtra's development, is not just a loss for Maharashtra but an irreplaceable one for the entire nation. On this sorrowful occasion, my condolences are with the entire Pawar family. May God grant peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti.”
28 January,2026 11:47 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take stock of the situation following the plane crash near Baramati involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, news agency IANS reported. According to Maharashtra government officials, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister were briefed on the circumstances of the accident and the latest developments related to the crash. Ajit Pawar plane crash Live updates: Follow our live blog for real-time updates DGCA confirms deaths of all on board Ajit Pawar, who is also the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, along with five others, lost their lives when the aircraft crashed while attempting to land near Baramati on Wednesday morning. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all six persons on board the plane died in the accident. Crash occurred during landing; rescue teams rush to site The aircraft went down during the landing phase, with visuals from the site showing flames, thick smoke, and the wreckage of the plane scattered across the area. Ambulances and emergency responders were seen rushing to the spot, while local residents also attempted to assist rescue efforts. Family members reach crash site, probe underway The crash occurred around 9 am, roughly an hour after the aircraft departed from Mumbai. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend a public meeting amid the ongoing elections to Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis. Family members of the late deputy chief minister rushed to the crash site soon after the incident. His wife and NCP MP Sunetra Pawar, son Parth Pawar, and cousin, NCP-SP working president Supriya Sule, were reportedly scheduled to travel to Baramati from Delhi. Emergency services and senior security officials reached the site immediately after the aircraft reportedly lost control while landing. Three bodies were shifted to Baramati Medical College, and the process of identification is underway, according to the Pune Superintendent of Police. A team from the DGCA has also arrived at the crash site to begin a detailed probe into the cause of the accident. Locals were among the first to reach the spot after witnessing the aircraft go down. The incident follows a series of aviation-related scares involving Pawar and his party colleagues in recent years. In October 2024, a helicopter meant to ferry NCP leader Sunil Tatkare crashed in Pune, while there have also been instances of emergency landings in the region due to adverse weather conditions. (With inputs from IANS)
28 January,2026 11:46 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPresident Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, calling his untimely passing an irreparable loss to the nation. In a post on X, the President said Pawar would always be remembered for his significant role in Maharashtra’s development, particularly his contribution to the cooperative sector. She described the news of the crash in Baramati, Pune district, which claimed the lives of Pawar and four others, as extremely tragic. “The untimely demise of Ajit Pawar ji is an irreparable loss,” Murmu said in her message, adding that she extended heartfelt condolences to his family, supporters, and admirers. She also prayed for strength and courage for the families of all those who lost their lives in the accident. Pawar (66) and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Baramati in the Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. According to Flight Radar, the flight took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and it disappeared from the radar around 8.45 am. Pawar was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state. Ajit Pawar's demise very shocking: PM Modi Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled Pawar’s death, terming it untimely and deeply shocking. In a post on X, Modi described Pawar as a mass leader with a strong grassroots connect who was widely respected for his hard work and commitment to public service. “Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots-level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy,” the Prime Minister said, extending condolences to Pawar’s family and countless admirers. Home Minister Shah calls Ajit Pawar's demise 'personal loss' Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's demise is a personal loss not only for the NDA family but also for him. In a message posted on 'X', Shah said, "The way Ajit Pawar ji dedicated himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three-and-a-half decades cannot be expressed in words. "Today, the news of the loss of Maharashtra's deputy chief minister and our senior NDA colleague Ajit Pawar ji in a tragic accident has left my heart deeply distressed," he said. Expressing deepest condolences to the Pawar family, Shah said that in this hour of grief, the entire NDA stands firmly with the bereaved Pawar family. "Whenever we met, he would engage in long discussions on numerous issues related to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. His passing is a personal loss not only for the NDA family but also for me," the home minister said. "May God grant the departed soul a place at his divine feet. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," he said.
28 January,2026 11:44 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1769593132931_d.png "Nation mourns as Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash. Pic/PTI")
-1769589531325_d.png "Supreme Court to examine safety concerns over Boeing 787. File Pic")
-1769582383914_d.png "Private and public schools evacuated in Chandigarh over hoax bomb threats. Representational Image")
