The Aryavarth Express Baramati (Maharashtra): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was laid to rest with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati on Thursday. His sons performed the last rites, lighting the funeral pyre and carrying out the final rituals amid an outpouring of grief from family members, political leaders and supporters.
Several senior leaders and dignitaries attended the funeral to pay their last respects, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, and actor Riteish Deshmukh. A large number of people gathered at the venue, reflecting the widespread public mourning following Pawar’s demise.
Earlier in the day, Pawar’s mortal remains were brought to the Vidya Pratishthan ground with full state honours. His wife Sunetra Pawar and sons Jay and Parth Pawar were present, along with other family members including nephew Rohit Pawar. Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde and his daughter Praniti Shinde also attended the funeral.
Supporters chanted “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” as the mortal remains arrived at the ground, bidding a final farewell to the veteran Nationalist Congress Party leader.
Meanwhile, officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and forensic teams reached the Baramati crash site to investigate the plane crash that claimed the lives of Ajit Pawar and five others. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and senior police officials, including the Maharashtra Director General of Police, were also present at the site.
The Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at the Baramati Taluka Police Station and initiated further investigation. “An ADR has been registered in connection with the air crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar lost his life. Further investigation is underway,” a police official said.
Union Minister Raksha Khadse termed the incident heart-rending, saying Maharashtra would not see another leader like Ajit Pawar. “He worked extensively in the interiors and played a major role in the state’s development. His loss is deeply painful,” she said.
Ajit ‘Dada’ Pawar died on Wednesday in a plane crash at Baramati airport while travelling to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections. Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara in Ahmednagar district, he was widely known for his tireless public service and strong grassroots connect.
Apart from his contributions to government administration, Pawar was actively involved in managing cooperative institutions, including milk unions, federations and sugar factories. His political career took a decisive turn in 1991 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha, a seat he later vacated 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 guidance he began his political journey.
Known for his frank and straightforward style, Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and his sons Jay and Parth Pawar.
