Ajit Pawar, a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s politics, was being remembered for his long-standing public service, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembering him as a leader with grassroots connections
Mourners, including party workers and supporters, lined the roads to pay respects to the departed leader. Pic/PTI
Huge crowds of supporters and top leaders from Maharashtra arrived in Pune on Wednesday following the tragic death of deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati.
Pune was on Wednesday evening seen preparing for Ajit Pawar's funeral on Thursday.
The city saw a steady flow of party workers and political leaders who gathered to pay their respects and offer condolences at party offices in state.
A huge crowd also gathered at Vidya Pratishthan in Pune to pay their last respects to Ajit Pawar.
Mourners, including party workers and supporters, lined the roads to pay respects to the departed leader.
Floral tributes and wreaths were laid, and many people were seen breaking down in tears as they offered prayers.
Ajit Pawar, a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s politics, was being remembered for his long-standing public service, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembering him as a leader with grassroots connections.
The state government has announced a period of mourning, with several leaders expected to attend the funeral proceedings later in the day.
VIDEO | Baramati: A huge crowd gathered at Vidya Pratishthan to pay their last respects to Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who died in plane crash earlier today.#ajitpawarpassedaway
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/SCjQ1YuFSo
Ajit Pawar to be cremated with state honours
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 Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members, the pilot-in-command and the first officer.
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and two sons, Parth and Jay.
Top leaders meet family members of Ajit Pawar
Several top leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Governor Acharya Devvrat, reached Pune to meet Ajit Pawar’s family and participate in the mourning.
Leaders from various political parties also arrived to express their sympathies, reflecting the wide impact of the tragedy across the state.
State mourns deputy CM
The Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning, and flags are being flown at half-mast across the state.
A public holiday was announced on Wednesday.
The last rites of Ajit Pawar are scheduled to be held with full state honours at Baramati in Maharashtra's Pune district.
Fadnavis, Shinde 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."
The plane crash
The Learjet 45, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. The aircraft was carrying five people, including Ajit Pawar, his security officer, an attendant, and two crew members.
Teams from the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have arrived to probe the accident. Naidu said the investigation would be carried out transparently and more details would be released as they emerge.
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