Pune, January 28: In a shocking tragedy that has gripped Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has passed away in a plane crash. The state government has announced a three-day period of official mourning from January 28 to 30. All government offices will remain closed, and flags will fly at half-mast across the state.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, visibly devastated, has canceled all his scheduled programs. He is set to depart for Baramati shortly alongside Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to pay respects to the departed leader. Speaking to the media, Fadnavis described Pawar as a ‘ground-connected leader’ whose simplicity and hard work earned him immense popularity among the masses.
‘Ajit Dada’s untimely demise is an irreplaceable loss for Maharashtra politics,’ Fadnavis said, adding that it feels like a personal blow. ‘He was a strong and big-hearted friend. We fought many battles together, and his contributions to the state’s development were invaluable.’
The Chief Minister extended condolences to Pawar’s family, NCP workers, and supporters, assuring them of the government’s support during this hour of grief. He revealed that discussions with the family upon reaching Baramati will determine the next steps, including funeral arrangements. Fadnavis has already informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, both of whom expressed profound sorrow.
On social media, Fadnavis poured his heart out: ‘Dada is gone! The plane crash claiming the life of my friend and colleague Ajit Dada Pawar is heart-wrenching. My heart is numb. I’ve lost a strong pillar of friendship. This is Maharashtra’s darkest day.’ He paid tribute to Pawar and condoled the loss of four other lives in the crash.
The state machinery has ground to a halt. All official events stand postponed, reflecting the profound impact of this loss on Maharashtra’s political landscape. As leaders converge on Baramati, the nation watches in solidarity with a state in mourning.