India's prime minister has led tributes to Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state, who has been killed in a plane crash in the west of the country.
Pawar and four others died after the chartered plane they were traveling in crashed at the airport in Baramati - Pawar's constituency - on Wednesday morning.
India's civil aviation minister said visibility was poor at the airport at the time of the crash. The aviation regulator has launched an investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pawar's death shocking and saddening and praised his service to the people of Maharashtra. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described his death as an immeasurable loss and announced three days of mourning in the state. Pawar was one of Maharashtra's most influential leaders, governing in coalition with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 66-year-old was affectionately called 'dada', a term for elder brother in the Marathi language, by party workers and the public.
Sanjay Raut, from the state's opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) party, said Pawar's death was a dark day. Without Dada, the political landscape of Maharashtra is incomplete. He had an open-hearted personality and every party worker admired him, he said.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, and others have also paid tribute.
Pawar was reportedly traveling to Baramati to address public meetings related to upcoming local elections when the plane crashed. The aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45, was cleared for landing after multiple attempts but did not respond to Air Traffic Control and minutes later burst into flames on the runway.
Pawar's death will leave a vacuum in his party and Maharashtra's political landscape, as he enjoyed vast support and was considered a skilled administrator and orator. His legacy and future political alliances will be significantly impacted as Maharashtra navigates this challenging context.
Pawar and four others died after the chartered plane they were traveling in crashed at the airport in Baramati - Pawar's constituency - on Wednesday morning.
India's civil aviation minister said visibility was poor at the airport at the time of the crash. The aviation regulator has launched an investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pawar's death shocking and saddening and praised his service to the people of Maharashtra. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described his death as an immeasurable loss and announced three days of mourning in the state. Pawar was one of Maharashtra's most influential leaders, governing in coalition with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 66-year-old was affectionately called 'dada', a term for elder brother in the Marathi language, by party workers and the public.
Sanjay Raut, from the state's opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) party, said Pawar's death was a dark day. Without Dada, the political landscape of Maharashtra is incomplete. He had an open-hearted personality and every party worker admired him, he said.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, and others have also paid tribute.
Pawar was reportedly traveling to Baramati to address public meetings related to upcoming local elections when the plane crashed. The aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45, was cleared for landing after multiple attempts but did not respond to Air Traffic Control and minutes later burst into flames on the runway.
Pawar's death will leave a vacuum in his party and Maharashtra's political landscape, as he enjoyed vast support and was considered a skilled administrator and orator. His legacy and future political alliances will be significantly impacted as Maharashtra navigates this challenging context.
