The Aryavarth Express
Baramati (Maharashtra): Teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and forensic experts arrived at the Baramati crash site on Thursday to investigate the plane crash that claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others. The aircraft had crash-landed at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning.
The Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at the Baramati Taluka Police Station and initiated further investigation into the incident.
“Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report in connection with the air crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar lost his life. Further investigation has been initiated,” a police official said.
Union Minister Raksha Khadse described the incident as heart-rending and said Maharashtra had lost an irreplaceable leader. “The accident is extremely painful. No one could have imagined such a tragedy. Maharashtra will not see another leader like Ajit Dada, who worked extensively in the interiors and contributed significantly to the state’s development,” she told reporters.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray arrived in Baramati to attend Ajit Pawar’s funeral. Preparations are underway at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground, where the last rites will be performed.
Supporters and party workers gathered outside Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College to pay their final respects as Pawar’s mortal remains were taken out. His Antim Yatra will begin from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima) at 9 AM, pass through the city to allow people to pay homage, and conclude at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground, where the funeral is scheduled for 11 AM.
The mortal remains will be carried in a decorated rath adorned with flowers, Pawar’s portrait, and a board reading “Swargiya Ajitdada Pawar amar rahein” (May the late Ajit Dada Pawar live forever).
Ajit ‘Dada’ Pawar died on Wednesday while travelling to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections. Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara of Ahmednagar district, Pawar was widely known for his grassroots connect and tireless public service.
Apart from his contributions to government administration, he played a major role in managing cooperative institutions, including milk unions, federations, sugar factories, and banks. His political journey took a decisive turn in 1991 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha, later vacating the Baramati seat for his uncle Sharad Pawar.
Over the years, he served as MLA, Minister of State in key departments, and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra for six non-consecutive terms under various governments led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
In November 2019, he led a split in the NCP and joined a BJP-led government, becoming Deputy Chief Minister. In February 2024, the Election Commission awarded the NCP name and symbol to the faction led by Ajit Pawar. Despite political differences, he remained closely associated with his uncle Sharad Pawar, under whose mentorship he began his political career.
Known for his frank and straightforward style, Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.
