‘Heart-Rending’: Baramati Loses Its Tallest Leader as Leaders Grieve Ajit Pawar’s Death

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday expressed deep shock over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, calling his passing a profound loss for both Maharashtra and the nation.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh said Pawar remained committed to public service throughout his long political career. “Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. He was known for his compassion for the people and unwavering dedication to development,” Singh wrote, extending condolences to Pawar’s family and admirers.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari described Pawar’s death as “unfortunate” and a “huge loss,” recalling his personal bond with the veteran leader. “Ajit Pawar was my close friend in politics, and we also shared familial relations. His passing is a huge loss. I pay my tributes to him on behalf of the party,” Gadkari said.

The reactions came hours after a chartered aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar crash-landed near the runway threshold at Baramati airport while attempting to land on Wednesday morning. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all five people on board—including Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members—were killed in the crash.

The aircraft had taken off from Mumbai around 8 am and went down approximately 45 minutes later near Baramati, the constituency that defined Pawar’s political life. Visuals from the crash site showed flames engulfing the wreckage, with thick smoke rising into the air.

Leaders across party lines echoed the sense of disbelief as news reached Parliament, where MPs had gathered for the Budget Session. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said the tragedy had devastated the Pawar family and left an irreplaceable void in Maharashtra politics. “He was a bold man and played a big role in the development of Baramati,” Sawant said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described the news as “shocking, painful and heart-rending,” noting that despite political differences, Pawar remained deeply committed to his work. “Baramati has lost a leader who was closely connected to its people,” she said, offering condolences to Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and sons Parth and Jay.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief, calling the incident devastating and urging a thorough investigation. DMK MP T Siva remembered Pawar as a “dynamic politician,” while RSP MP NK Premachandran said the cause of the crash must be carefully examined.

The Maharashtra government said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to receive updates on the incident.

For Baramati, however, the loss cuts deepest. Ajit Pawar represented the region for decades, shaping its cooperative sector, infrastructure and political identity. As tributes poured in from across the country, Baramati stood at the heart of a state and a nation mourning the leader it long called its own.

(With inputs from ANI)