Since the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday, January 26, various political leaders, businesspersons and actors have expressed condolences, remembering him as an established politician.
Early Wednesday morning, Pawar and four others died in a plane crash in Baramati in Maharashtra’s Pune district after pilots reported low visibility and went silent. Visuals from the site showed the wreckage of the plane engulfed in flames.
Following the crash, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar and expressed condolences at the death of his nephew, officials said.
Earlier, Modi remembered Ajit Pawar as a leader of the people with a strong grassroots-level connect and termed his death untimely and very shocking.
“Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra,” he said in a post on X.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Paschim Maharashtra Prant Sanghchalak Prof Suresh Jadhav said, “On behalf of the RSS, heartfelt tributes to Ajit dada and all those who died in the accident.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray condoled Pawar’s death and said even though the NCP chief chose a different path in politics, he did not let their relationship suffer. In a post on X, the former Chief Minister said in Pawar’s death, he has lost a steadfast leader and an excellent former cabinet colleague.
“We developed a special bond as colleagues. Ajit Pawar was open-hearted. He would speak his mind. He was not someone who held a grudge for long. Even though he chose a different path in politics, he did not let our relationship break,” Thackeray said.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who is currently on a visit to the United States, expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” he said in a statement released from the CM’s office.
Mamata Banerjee demands SC-monitored probe into Pawar’s death, Opposition shows support
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the death of the NCP leader, alleging that “all other agencies” have been “completely compromised,” with several Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, backing her demand.
Speaking in Kolkata, Banerjee stressed that the truth would not emerge through existing mechanisms and only a probe under the supervision of the apex court would be credible. Banerjee also hinted that Ajit Pawar was planning to return to the NCP (SP) led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, noting that reports circulating in recent days had pointed to such a move.
“I was truly shocked to see the news (of Ajit Pawar’s death) this morning. It shows that there is no safety or security in this country, even for political leaders,” the CM said. “Even those who are a part of the ruling establishment today do not seem to be safe,” she said.
Kharge supported her demand as he condoled the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM.
Asked about Banerjee demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation, Kharge said there should be a probe as this is an accident. “Everyone, all leaders, keep travelling for urgent work. But in so many instances, we saw in Ahmedabad how a big plane crashed. This was a small plane. Why did this happen? It should be probed. We also demand a probe,” Kharge said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav cited similar incidents in the past and said Banerjee’s demand was justified.
“He (Ajit Pawar) was a big leader, served as a deputy chief minister many times, and a popular leader of Maharashtra. She (Banerjee) must have made a justified demand… Earlier as well, many VIPs lost their lives in a similar manner, so there should be an impartial probe so it can be known what the reason for the accident was,” Yadav said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai described Pawar’s demise as a great loss for Maharashtra and called for a thorough probe.
“There has to be an investigation because these kinds of incidents keep happening. Everybody is wondering why…” Desai said.
Funeral to be held on January 29
The last rites of Ajit Pawar will be held with full state honours on Thursday, January 29, in Baramati, Pune district.
Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend the funeral, which will be held at Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 am. Leaders cutting across the political spectrum will be present, the NCP said.
Besides Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant and two crew members (pilot in command and the first officer) were also killed.
Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra, a member of the Rajya Sabha, and two sons, Parth and Jay.
The state government declared a public holiday on Wednesday and announced a three-day period of state mourning.
(With PTI inputs)
Follow on Twitter | Posted by Khadija Irfan Rahim | | 
