Baramati, January 29: In a somber ceremony marked by profound grief, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar was cremated with full state honors on Thursday. The emotional farewell drew thousands, including family, political heavyweights, and grieving supporters, to the streets of Baramati.
Ajit Pawar’s two sons lit the funeral pyre, honoring their father in a deeply moving ritual attended by the entire family. Among the dignitaries present were Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, underscoring Pawar’s vast influence across party lines.
Earlier in the day, his final journey from the Katewadi residence turned into a massive procession. Roads choked with mourners, leading to severe traffic jams as people paid their last respects to the towering political figure.
Tragedy struck just a day prior when Pawar’s plane crashed at 8:45 AM on Wednesday, claiming his life along with four others: his security personnel, two pilots, and a female crew member. The ill-fated Learjet 45, registered as VT-SSK and operated by VSR Ventures, had been cleared for landing on Runway 11 at 8:43 AM after an initial abort.
Maharashtra declared three days of state mourning, with national flags at half-mast on all government buildings. Police registered an Accidental Death Report, while the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau took charge of probing the crash.
Pawar’s untimely demise leaves a void in Maharashtra politics. Known for his sharp acumen and developmental push in Baramati, his legacy of infrastructure projects and agricultural reforms will endure. Tributes poured in from across the spectrum, highlighting his role in bridging divides and steering the state’s progress.