The last rites of Vidip Jadhav, the personal security officer to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who lost his life alongside the leader in the Baramati plane crash, were performed at his native place in Maharashtra’s Satara district early on Thursday, news agency PTI reported. VIDEO | Maharashtra: Vidip Dilip Jadhav, the personal security officer (PSO) of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, was laid to rest with full state honours in his native village in Satara last night.Jadhav was also on board the aircraft that crash-landed in Baramati yesterday, killing… pic.twitter.com/x17PFkF7ka — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 29, 2026 Jadhav, a 2009-batch constable with the Mumbai Police, was travelling with Pawar when their aircraft crashed at Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday evening. Two pilots and a flight attendant also died in the accident. Phaltan, Maharashtra: A family member of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s PSO, Vidip Jadhav, says, "After his passing, the entire family, young and old- has been deeply saddened. One of his greatest qualities was keeping our whole family united, not just our immediate… pic.twitter.com/mSIhLEv0S9 — IANS (@ians_india) January 29, 2026 Jadhav’s mortal remains were taken to his village Taradgaon in Phaltan taluka of Satara district around 8.30 pm on Wednesday. His cremation was carried out there around midnight in the presence of family members, local residents, and police, and government officials, PTI reported. Mumbai Police Constable Vidip Dilip Jadhav, a resident of Kalwa near Thane, died on Wednesday morning in the air crash that also claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, with whom he was deployed as part of the security detail. Jadhav had been working with Pawar… pic.twitter.com/cUGH6dD4TE — Mid Day (@mid_day) January 29, 2026 Personnel from the Lonand Police Station accorded a guard of honour to the constable, an official said. “I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mumbai Police Constable Vidip Jadhav, who lost his life in a tragic aircraft accident while on duty. With his passing, the Mumbai Police Force has lost a dedicated and dutiful soldier. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family members,” Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said in a post on X. कर्तव्यावर असताना झालेल्या भीषण विमान अपघातात मुंबई पोलीस दलाचे पोलीस शिपाई विदिप जाधव यांचे अकाली निधन झाल्याने मन अत्यंत दुःखी झाले आहे.मुंबई पोलीस दलातील एक कर्तव्यनिष्ठ जवान आपण गमावला आहे.त्यांच्या कुटुंबीयांप्रती माझ्या मनापासून शोकभावना व्यक्त करतो.#RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/CkhRbdozdz — Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai (@CPMumbaiPolice) January 28, 2026 A resident of Vitawa in Thane city, Jadhav was posted with the special protection unit of Mumbai Police. Following the aircraft accident, his family members, including his wife and two children, rushed to Baramati. After the post-mortem, the family identified the body, which was subsequently handed over to them. Ajit Pawar death: Pune Police file ADR, probe underway The Pune Rural Police have registered an accidental death report (ADR) at the Baramati Taluka Police Station in connection with the plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, officers told news agency IANS on Thursday. Police said an investigation into the circumstances that led to the crash is currently underway. Teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are at the crash site to probe the incident and determine the cause of the tragedy. According to the police, all aspects related to the accident are being examined. As per procedure, the ADR will be transferred to the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which will carry out the investigation based on the findings of the AAIB team, IANS reported. (With PTI and IANS inputs)
29 January,2026 02:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentApparently eyeing the upcoming assembly elections, Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Thursday unveiled a people-focused budget for 2026-27, promising a massive Rs 14,500 crore boost to help social security pensioners and fund a series of new community programmes. Presenting the second Pinarayi Vijayan-led government's sixth budget in the Legislative Assembly, Balagopal announced that the honorarium of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers has been hiked by Rs 1,000 per month and that of Anganwadi helpers by Rs 500. The pay of pre-primary teachers and literacy mission motivators has been increased by Rs 1,000 per month and the daily wages of school cooking staff have been raised by Rs 25 per day, he said. The budget also announced Rs 3,700 crore for the Chief Minister's Stree Suraksha Scheme. Besides that, an increase in allocation for the rural employment scheme by Rs 1,000 crore as compared to previous years, life and health insurance schemes for all categories of people, including school children, and free degree education for students in arts and science colleges were also announced in the budget. The budget also announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore for the initial works in connection with the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod that was given in-principle approval by the state cabinet on Wednesday. It also announced around Rs 150 crore for the development of the coastal region. The budget also announced over Rs 250 crore for forest and wildlife protection. In the budget speech, Balagopal criticised the Central government, alleging that the Centre is "strangling" Kerala and cutting down its tax revenues. "Despite severe neglect, Kerala has progressed," the finance minister 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.
29 January,2026 02:20 PM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | PTIRajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday set the tone for the 217th session of the Upper House, calling upon members to maintain the highest standards of parliamentary decorum while deliberating on the Union Budget 2026-27 and other key legislative proposals. In his opening remarks, Radhakrishnan highlighted India's position as the world's fastest-growing major economy, poised to become the third-largest soon. "India's growing influence and stature in the global economy make our role as parliamentarians crucial in shaping the nation's economic direction," he said. The Chairman noted that the session, spanning 30 sittings, will focus on examining the Union Budget and legislative proposals, while department-related parliamentary standing committees will scrutinise demands for grants during the recess. "I call upon members to make impactful contributions to deliberations in the House as well as in the committees," he said. Emphasising the magnitude of legislative work ahead, Radhakrishnan urged members to utilise every minute of scheduled business to realise the aspirations of the people they represent. "The magnitude of our legislative work underscores our solemn responsibility," he said. The Chairman also stressed the importance of maintaining parliamentary discipline. "Our democracy flourishes through diversity of views and spirited debate. Respectful exchange of opinions and constructive discussions should be the norm of parliamentary discourse," he said, adding the session ought to be "defined by decorum, discipline and dignified conduct." Invoking Mahatma Gandhi's vision, Radhakrishnan said the members should uphold the values of democracy and discipline in their conduct. The Chairman expressed hope for full cooperation from leaders of parliamentary parties and members in making the session productive and "a solid stepping stone in our journey towards a prosperous, self-reliant Viksit Bharat." "Together, let us make the Budget session a success reflecting the highest standards of parliamentary democracy," he concluded. 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.
29 January,2026 02:19 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIBJP councillor Saurabh Joshi was elected as the new mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Thursday as the party swept the mayoral polls by also securing the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor. In a three-cornered contest for the post of mayor of the Chandigarh civic body, BJP nominee Joshi secured 18 votes, Aam Aadmi Party candidate Yogesh Dhingra got 11 votes, while the Congress' Gurpreet Singh Gabi secured seven votes. The polls were conducted by a show of hands instead of the previous practice of a secret ballot. After raising their hands, councillors also gave their verbal confirmation before the presiding officer, Ramneek Singh Bedi, a nominated councillor, who conducted the election for the post of mayor. In the 35-member House of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, the BJP has 18 councillors, the AAP has 11, and the Congress has six. The Chandigarh MP also has a voting right as an ex officio member of the 35-member municipal corporation. Sitting MP Manish Tewari of the Congress raised his hand in support of his party's nominee Gurpreet Singh Gabi. Congress and AAP did not forge an alliance for the mayoral polls this time. After BJP's Joshi was declared the new mayor of Chandigarh, he conducted the elections for the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor. The Congress abstained from voting in this election. After voting for the mayor's post, all six Congress councillors and Congress MP Tewari left the House. BJP nominee for senior deputy mayor Jasmanpreet Singh defeated AAP councillor Manuar Khan by 18 votes to 11. BJP councillor Suman Sharma won the post of deputy mayor by defeating AAP nominee Jaswinder Kaur. Before the election for the post of deputy mayor, AAP councillor Ramchandra Yadav, who had filed his nomination as an independent, withdrew his candidature. 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.
29 January,2026 02:15 PM IST | Chandigarh | PTIThe Lok Sabha was adjourned on Thursday afternoon and will again meet on February 1 at 11:00 am. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey of India in Parliament for the financial year 2025-26, setting the stage for the Union Budget, which will be presented on Sunday, February 1. This year, the Budget presentation falls on a weekend. FM Sitharaman is set to present a record ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, marking a significant milestone in India's parliamentary and economic history. The tabling of the Economic Survey ahead of the Budget follows the long-standing tradition of outlining the state of the economy before detailing future fiscal plans. The Economic Survey of India is regarded as the nation's official annual "report card" on the economy. It provides a comprehensive, data-backed review of the economy's performance over the previous year and offers a broad roadmap for future policy direction. As the government's flagship annual report, it reviews key economic developments over the past 12 months. The Survey plays a crucial role in the lead-up to the Union Budget. While the Budget focuses on future government spending, taxation, and policy measures, the Economic Survey explains why those decisions are necessary by analysing past economic performance and trends. The Economic Survey is prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the leadership of the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA). It is presented in two parts, each focusing on different aspects of the economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media from the parliament ahead of the Budget Session 2026 and praised the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing it as "Free Trade for Ambitious India, for Aspirational Youth, and for Aatmanirbhar India." He expressed confidence that Indian manufacturers would utilise the agreement to strengthen their capabilities, calling the FTA a major step toward building a confident, competitive, and productive India. "This Free Trade for Ambitious India, Free Trade for Aspirational Youth, Free Trade for Aatmanirbhar India. I am confident that, especially the manufacturers of India, will use this opportunity to enhance their capabilities. I am very confident that in a way this is a major step in the direction of confident, competitive and productive India," said the Prime Minister. PM Modi said India's democracy and demography have become a source of hope for the world and stressed the importance of sending a strong message to the global community through Parliament, which he described as the "temple of democracy." The Budget session will span 30 sittings over 65 days, concluding on April 2. The two Houses will adjourn for a recess on February 13 and reconvene on March 9 to enable the Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various ministries and departments. 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.
29 January,2026 01:22 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | ANIThe Economic Survey for 2025-26, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, has raised India’s potential growth rate to 7.0 per cent, up from 6.5 per cent three years ago, as “sustained domestic reforms and public investment are lifting the economy’s underlying growth capacity” despite the global headwinds. “The expansion of infrastructure -- illustrated by the doubling of the airport network over the past decade and the rapid growth of freight movement through inland waterways -- is easing logistics constraints and raising economy-wide efficiency,” the economic survey notes. At the same time, while headline inflation continues to reflect volatility in food prices, the subdued trajectory of core inflation (excluding gold and silver) indicates a strengthening of supply-side conditions across the economy, consistent with rising productive capacity and improved logistics. In parallel, sustained state-level deregulation efforts are enabling small and medium enterprises to expand and integrate more effectively into formal value chains, elevating the economy’s medium-term growth potential, the survey observes. The survey also observes that a predictable and credible fiscal trajectory by the Centre over the past years has anchored overall macroeconomic stability by balancing growth imperatives with fiscal sustainability. The Central government’s fiscal consolidation experience underscores the value of clearly defined fiscal targets alongside retained flexibility, thereby allowing fiscal policy to support rather than constrain growth during periods of uncertainty. In this context, the Union Budget for FY22 articulated a medium-term glide path, targeting a fiscal deficit below 4.5 per cent of GDP by FY26, instead of binding annual targets, to ensure that growth-enhancing expenditure, particularly capex, was not compromised, the survey points out. The global environment is being reshaped by geopolitical realignments that will influence investment, supply chains and growth prospects for years to come. Against today’s global churn, India must choose to build resilience, innovate relentlessly, and stay the course towards Viksit Bharat, rather than seek quick fixes to visible, short-term pressures, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has noted in his comment. “The good news is that, on balance, the evidence presented in this Survey shows that India will choose well,” he added. 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.
29 January,2026 01:21 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | IANSSenior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on the hursday morning ahead of the Parliament convening for the second day of the Budget Session termed as "hypocrisy-laden" the customary address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called it a "performance." "He will not convene and chair all-party meetings to take the Opposition into confidence on national issues. He will suddenly have Bills introduced at the last minute and bulldozed through Parliament without the necessary legislative scrutiny. He will not sit in Parliament and respond to the concerns of Opposition Leaders, and will instead make election rally speeches in both Houses," Ramesh said in a post on social media platform X. The Congress leader further said that "Before the beginning of each session he will give his usual hypocrisy-laden 'desh ke naam sandesh' with Parliament as his backdrop. Today's performance is part of this series." The second day of the 2026 Budget Session today will see Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman table the Economic Survey in the Lok Sabha. The Survey offers an assessment of the economy and key indicators for 2025-26, along with an outlook for the next financial year. Prime Minister Modi in his address today said that the country had boarded the "Reform Express" and has emerged from long-pending problems while working towards long-term solutions. He said it is time to find solutions, not create hurdles, ahead of the Budget Session. He hailed the just concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) and said it opened new markets for manufacturers to offer quality products across all 27 EU member States. This is free trade for an ambitious India, for aspirational youth, and for a self-reliant India. I am confident that Indian manufacturers, in particular, will use this opportunity to enhance their capabilities," Modi said, speaking outside Parliament House. PM Modi in his opening remarks hailed Wednesday's address of President Droupadi Murmu to Parliament as an "an expression of the trust of 140 crore Indians. "The President's Address yesterday was the expression of the trust of 140 crore Indians, an account of their capability and of the sketch of their aspirations, especially of the youth. For all MPs, the President also said several things to guide them. At the beginning of the session and 2026, the expectations expressed by the President. I am confident that all MPs took this seriously," PM Modi said. 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.
29 January,2026 01:11 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIReacting sharply to the upcoming Union Budget 2026, Karnataka Minister MC Sudhakar accused the Centre of misleading the public and burdening state governments, alleging that funds committed under key schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission remain unpaid. Speaking to the media, Sudhakar alleged that the Centre repeatedly announces new programmes in the name of cooperative federalism but later unilaterally decides funding shares and fails to reimburse states, leaving their finances in a grim condition. "Today, people are expecting another union budget, which... again, they are fooling the people of this country... A huge amount under the Jal Jeevan Mission is due... I think this is the standard way of handling things under 'cooperative federalism,' where they keep announcing programs but then decide unilaterally how much the state governments have to pay, while the Union Government decides on the percentage it will cover... Finally, they end up not reimbursing the state governments after committing to the work. This is happening with various schemes... they're going to keep fooling, and they keep introducing a lot of new initiatives; they keep changing the names... I don't know where 'Bharat' is becoming 'Viksit'... The financial situation seems to be very grim," the Karnataka Minister said. Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to table the Economic Survey 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha today. The Economic Survey document, prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and formulated under the supervision of the chief economic adviser, provides insights into the state of the economy and various indicators for 2025-26 (April-March), as well as an outlook for the next fiscal. The Budget Session commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu's address to both the Houses of the Parliament. The Budget session will span 30 sittings over 65 days, concluding on April 2. The two Houses will adjourn for a recess on February 13 and reconvene on March 9 to enable the Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various ministries and departments. 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.
29 January,2026 12:23 PM IST | Bengaluru (Karnataka) | ANIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Budget Session of Parliament marks an important step towards achieving the resolve of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the Centre is focused on 'Reform Express' and moving towards long-term solutions for pending issues. He also noted that beginning the session alongside progress on the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement reflects the spirit of an “ambitious, confident and Atmanirbhar Bharat”. Addressing mediapersons at the start of the Budget Session, the Prime Minister referred to the President’s address to Parliament and said, “The President's address yesterday reflected the confidence of 140 crore Indians and their aspirations. She also expressed her expectations from parliamentarians in very simple words, sharing her feelings as the head of the nation. I am confident that all MPs will take these seriously.” Highlighting that one-fourth of the 21st century has already passed, PM Modi said the country has now embarked on a crucial 25-year journey to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He said this period will define India’s future direction and its role in the global order. Speaking about Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Prime Minister said, “She is the first Finance Minister of the country to present the Budget in Parliament for the ninth consecutive time. This itself is being recorded in India’s parliamentary history as a proud moment.” The Prime Minister said that during this quarter of the 21st century, India has emerged as a “beacon of hope” and also as a “centre of attraction” for the world. He added that global attention towards India reflects growing confidence in the country’s economic and democratic strength. “At the start of this quarter, the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement offers a glimpse of how bright the future is for India and its youth. This is free trade for ambitious Bharat, confident youth and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said. PM Modi further said that he is confident Indian manufacturers will seize the opportunity created by the agreement to expand and strengthen their presence globally. He stressed the need to focus on quality as markets open up further. “When the mother of all deals is signed between India and Europe, our industrialists and manufacturers should not just think that ‘our items will now be traded with less tax’. This is an opportunity to emphasise quality. Now that the market is open, we should enter it with the best quality. If we go with superior quality, we will win the hearts of the 27 member states of the EU. This will have a long-term impact,” he said. He added that the agreement with 27 countries would open up significant opportunities for India’s farmers, youth and professionals in the services sector who are keen to explore global markets. “I firmly believe this is a major step towards a confident, competitive and productive India,” he said. Referring to the broader functioning of the government, the Prime Minister said that while the nation’s attention is naturally focused on the Budget, the core ethos of the government remains “reform, performance and transformation”. “We have swiftly boarded the ‘Reform Express’. I thank all MPs for their constructive contributions in accelerating this ‘Reform Express’. As a result, the Reform Express is now gathering speed,” he said. PM Modi said the government is moving away from long-pending issues towards implementing long-term solutions, adding that such solutions bring predictability and strengthen international trust. He said every decision taken by the government is aimed at progress and development, while remaining human-centric. “We will adopt technology, absorb it and use its potential, but we will not compromise on a human-centric approach. While recognising the importance of constitutional values, we will move ahead with thoughtful integration of technology,” he said. He added that criticism and differing views are natural in a democracy, but said there is widespread recognition that the government has prioritised last-mile delivery. “It is not just about files moving, but about reaching lives. This tradition will continue as we take next-generation reforms forward through the Reform Express,” he said. Stressing the global relevance of India, PM Modi said India’s democracy and demography today offer great hope to the world. “In this temple of democracy, we have an opportunity to convey to the global community our capabilities, our commitment to democratic values and the credibility of decisions taken through democratic processes. The world recognises and welcomes this,” he said. “Today, the nation is moving forward not with delays, but with timely action,” the Prime Minister added. 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.
29 January,2026 11:57 AM IST | New Delhi [India] | IANSThe Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to entertain the defamation suit filed by Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede against Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd and OTT platform Netflix over his alleged defamatory portrayal in the web series ‘The Ba**ds of Bollywood’*. Holding that the Delhi HC lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, a single-judge Bench of Justice Purushaindra Kaurav returned the same to be placed before the court of competent jurisdiction. “This Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the plaint. The same is returned to the plaintiff to approach the court of competent jurisdiction,” ordered Justice Kaurav. In his plea, Wankhede alleged that malicious and defamatory content published and circulated through the Netflix series produced by Red Chillies Entertainment has gravely tarnished his reputation, dignity, and public image, apart from causing harm to his family. He also claimed that the image of anti-drug enforcement agencies has been tarnished and shown negatively, thereby undermining public trust in law enforcement agencies. The IRS official further sought permanent and mandatory injunctions, along with damages, against the defendants, including Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, RPG Lifestyle Media Private Limited and other concerned parties. Wankhede has claimed that the web series has deliberately biased and defamatory content against him. He also alleged that the Sameer Wankhede and Aryan Khan case is currently pending before the Bombay High Court and a special NDPS court in Mumbai. The suit stated that a character in the web series is shown saying, "Satyamev Jayate", and immediately after that, the character is seen making an obscene gesture. It is an insult to the slogan, which is part of the national emblem and is an offence punishable under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Sameer has sought Rs 2 crore as damages, which will be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the treatment of Cancer patients. The Delhi High Court had heard detailed submissions from both sides and reserved its verdict earlier on December 2, 2025. 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.
29 January,2026 11:57 AM IST | New Delhi [India] | IANSAndhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Revenue Minister A Satya Prasad left for Baramati on Thursday to attend the last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday. As reported by news agency PTI, the last rites of Pawar will be held with full state honours at the sports ground of Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati in Pune district today. An official statement emphasised, "A delegation comprising Ministers Lokesh and Prasad left for Baramati this morning to attend the last rites and pay final respects to Pawar," as per PTI. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (66) and four other persons on board the aircraft were killed after it crashed barely 200 metres from the edge of a tabletop runway at Baramati on Wednesday. The final journey of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will take place on Thursday, January 29, with his mortal remains being carried in a flower-decked rath as part of the Antim Yatra in Baramati, reported news agency ANI. Flower-decked rath to carry mortal remains through Baramati The ceremonial chariot has been richly decorated with flowers and bears Pawar’s photograph along with a message paying tribute to him. The funeral procession is scheduled to begin at 9 am from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima), move through key parts of the town to allow people to pay their respects, and conclude at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, where the last rites will be performed at 11 am, reported ANI. Supporters gather early; emotional scenes outside hospital Even before the procession began, large numbers of party workers and supporters gathered outside Ahilyabai Holkar Hospital in Baramati, where Pawar’s body was kept before being taken to his residence. Among those mourning was party worker Chandrashekar Patil, who broke down while remembering Pawar’s disciplined lifestyle and deep connection with the people. “He was like the elder of our family. Who will guide us now? He would start his day early, listen to people’s problems and work tirelessly,” Patil said, struggling to hold back tears, reported ANI. Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray pay last respects On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and leader Aaditya Thackeray visited Pawar’s residence in Baramati to convey their condolences to the bereaved family. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
29 January,2026 11:15 AM IST | Baramati | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1769673369516_d.png "BJP councillor Saurabh Joshi, elected as the new mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.Pic/X @BJP4Chandigarh")
-1769669864025_d.png "Congress leader Jairam Ramesh (left) slams PM Modi’s address ; calls it 'hypocricy laden'. File Pic")
-1769668795624_d.png "Karnataka Minister Sudhakar criticizes non-payment for Jal Jeevan mission. Pic/X @drmcsudhakar")
