Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar, four others die in plane crash

New Delhi, Jan 28: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash along with four other people on Wednesday morning near Baramati airport in Pune district.
The chartered aircraft, operating on a flight from Mumbai to Baramati, crashed while attempting to land early in the morning, killing all five people on board, including Pawar.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that there were no survivors in the accident.
Reports said the small chartered plane was attempting to land at Baramati airport when it crash-landed, burst into flames and was destroyed on impact.
The exact cause of the crash is being investigated by aviation authorities.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi condoled passing of Ajit Pawar Ji. Modi stated that Ajit Pawar was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. “His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers”, Modi said.
The Prime Minister posted on X: “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. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, has expressed profound grief over the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He said that the manner in which Ajit Pawar devoted himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three and a half decades cannot be expressed in words.
In a post on ‘X’, Amit Shah said, “Today, the news of the loss of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and our senior NDA colleague Ajit Pawar in a tragic accident has left my heart deeply distressed. The way Ajit Pawar dedicated himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three and a half decades cannot be expressed in words. Whenever we met, he would engage in long discussions on numerous issues related to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. His demise is a personal loss not only for the NDA family but also for me. I extend my deepest condolences to the Pawar family. In this hour of grief, the entire NDA stands firmly with the bereaved Pawar family. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed deep shock and sorrow over the untimely demise of senior leader Ajit Pawar.
In his condolence message, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the passing away of Shri Ajit Pawar, describing him as a widely respected leader committed to the welfare of the people who served Maharashtra with distinction.
He extended condolences to the bereaved family and admirers and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief, recalling his long association with Ajit Pawar from his college days in Bombay.
He described Ajit Pawar as an able administrator and a skilled political organiser whose loss would be deeply felt. Omar Abdullah, along with his father, conveyed condolences to Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and the entire Pawar family. (CNS)