India is mourning the sudden death of Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning in Baramati, his home constituency. Four others onboard the chartered aircraft also lost their lives.
The Bombardier Learjet 45 was reportedly attempting to land at Baramati Airport under poor visibility when it crashed. According to the federal aviation ministry, the aircraft had received landing clearance but failed to respond to Air Traffic Control before bursting into flames on the runway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pawar’s death “shocking and saddening” and commended his years of service to the people of Maharashtra. The state’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described it as “an immeasurable loss” and announced three days of mourning. Pawar’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Other political leaders, including opposition figures and federal ministers, have paid tribute, highlighting Pawar’s influence and his connection with the public. Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena described it as “a dark day” and said Maharashtra’s political landscape is now incomplete without him.
Who was Ajit Pawar?
Ajit Pawar, 66, was a towering figure in Maharashtra politics and a senior member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founded by his uncle, Sharad Pawar. First elected to the Maharashtra legislative assembly from Baramati in 1991, he was repeatedly re-elected, reflecting his deep support among voters.
Over his decades-long career, Pawar held key ministerial roles, including deputy chief minister, agriculture, and finance, and was instrumental in forming and maintaining various coalition governments. Known for his wit, oratory skills, and political shrewdness, he navigated turbulence within the NCP and often took surprising political moves, including brief alignments with the ruling BJP, before returning to his party.
Pawar’s political influence extended beyond his party; his alliances and maneuvers shaped Maharashtra’s governance, earning him the affectionate nickname “Dada” (“elder brother”) from party workers and the public.
Impact on Maharashtra Politics
Ajit Pawar’s death leaves a significant vacuum in both the NCP and Maharashtra’s political landscape. As a popular leader and skilled administrator, his absence will test the stability of the ruling coalition. While the BJP-led government maintains a majority, any defections or internal instability could create political turbulence.
The loss also raises questions about the future leadership within the NCP and who might succeed him in holding sway over the party and his home constituency of Baramati.
His decades of service, controversial yet influential career, and sudden death have left Maharashtra in shock, as political leaders and citizens alike reflect on the life of one of the state’s most prominent figures.
An official from Niger’s foreign affairs ministry told Anadolu Agency that authorities were investigating whether the overnight gunfire was linked to the stalled uranium shipment, but offered no further clarification.
