Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, tragically lost his life in a plane crash on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at Baramati airport, his constituency, involving a chartered aircraft during poor weather conditions.
Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the event as an “immeasurable loss” and announced three days of mourning in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his shock, praising Pawar's dedication and service to the people of Maharashtra. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Pawar, 66, was one of the state's influential leaders and managed key ministries, including agriculture and finance, during his political career. He was known affectionately as 'Dada', a term translating to elder brother in Marathi, highlighting his popularity among party workers and the public.
As Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, he played pivotal roles in various coalition governments. However, controversial decisions and shifts in allegiance marked his last few years in the political arena. The aviation authority is investigating the crash, which resulted in the loss of Pawar along with two staff members and two crew members aboard the aircraft.
Pawar's passing leaves a considerable gap in Maharashtra’s political landscape, raising questions about the future of his party and the governing coalition amidst unstable conditions.
