Slogans such as “Ajit dada amar rahe” and “Ajit dada parat ya” (long live Ajit dada, Ajit dada come back) echoed through the premises of Vidya Pratishthan, Pawar’s home turf, where people gathered in large numbers to pay their last respects
Ajit Pawar and four others on board a chartered aircraft were killed after the plane crashed near Baramati in Pune. Pic/PTI
The mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar were brought to an educational institute in Baramati, Pune district, on Wednesday evening, as emotional scenes unfolded with party workers and local residents raising slogans in his memory.
Slogans such as “Ajit dada amar rahe” and “Ajit dada parat ya” (long live Ajit dada, Ajit dada come back) echoed through the premises of Vidya Pratishthan, Pawar’s home turf, where people gathered in large numbers to pay their last respects, reported the PTI.
Ajit Pawar, 66, and four others on board a chartered aircraft were killed after the plane crashed barely 200 metres from the edge of a tabletop runway at Baramati airport. The sudden death of the veteran leader, fondly known as Dada, has left a major void in the BJP-led coalition government in Maharashtra and raised questions over the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which he headed.
After post-mortem formalities at a medical college in Baramati, Pawar’s mortal remains were brought to Vidya Pratishthan in a vehicle decked with flowers. People lining both sides of the road broke down as the procession passed, with many visibly overwhelmed by grief, according to the PTI.
A large number of NCP workers and residents from Baramati and other parts of the state converged on the town, long associated with the politically influential Pawar family, to pay tribute to the late leader.
VIDEO | Baramati: The mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar brought to Vidya Pratishthan; people gather to pay their last respects.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/CJx5zXNS1c
Last rites with full state honours
The last rites of the NCP president will be performed at the Vidya Pratishthan grounds at 11 am on Thursday, with full state honours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, leaders from across the political spectrum, and people from various walks of life are expected to attend the funeral.
VIDEO | Baramati: Ajit Pawar's son Jay Pawar at Vidya Pratishthan. #AjitPawarPlaneCrash
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/0R4Yb4ozFH
‘Every development bears his imprint’
Manoj Wagh, a local teacher, said the people of Baramati were still struggling to come to terms with Pawar’s sudden death.
“Almost every development work in Baramati carries the imprint of Ajit dada,” he said.
Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here
Top leaders reach Pune
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along Governor Acharya Devvrat on Wednesday reached Baramati as Pune began to prepare for NCP chief Ajit Pawar's last rites.
The leaders reached the site to offer their condolences to the family and party members, as well as to participate in the funeral rituals, officials said.
They also met the family members of Ajit Pawar.
In a post on X, the CMO wrote, "Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Sunetra Pawar, the wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to offer their condolences. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also present along with them. The leaders expressed their sympathy to the family following the tragic plane crash near Baramati that claimed Ajit Pawar’s life."
राज्यपाल आचार्य देवव्रत यांच्यासह मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी स्वर्गीय अजित पवार यांच्या पत्नी खासदार सुनेत्रा पवार यांची भेट घेऊन त्यांचे सांत्वन केले. यावेळी उपमुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे हे देखील उपस्थित होते. pic.twitter.com/TWPf5bBaLs
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 28, 2026
Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in the Baramati plane crash has led to widespread grief across the state and the nation.
Political leaders from the across the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid tributes to Ajit Pawar.
The state government has declared three days of state mourning, and flags are being flown at half-mast across Maharashtra.
CM Fadnavis had earlier stated that during these three days, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all the buildings in Maharashtra where the national flag is regularly hoisted.
Funeral arrangements and public condolences
The local administration has made arrangements for people to offer their condolences and participate in the final rites. Several leaders and party workers have also been seen offering prayers and paying their respects.
Ajit Pawar to be cremated with state honours
The last rites of Ajit Pawar, who was killed in the plane crash, will be held with full state honours on Thursday in Baramati, in Pune district, reported the PTI.
The funeral will take place at the Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 a.m. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that leaders from across the political spectrum will attend, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to be present, the news agency reported.
The crash occurred on Wednesday morning, shortly after Ajit Pawar and four others took off from Mumbai.
In addition to Ajit Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members, the aircraft pilot-in-command and the first officer.
(with PTI inputs)
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