The Maharashtra government on Wednesday declared a three-day state mourning following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati.
The chartered aircraft, flying from Mumbai, crash-landed and caught fire while attempting to land at Baramati airport, killing Pawar and five others onboard.
During the mourning period, the Tricolour will fly at half-mast on all government buildings, and all entertainment programmes are cancelled.
A state funeral will honour the late NCP veteran, remembered as a people’s leader with a strong grassroots connection and a towering presence in Maharashtra politics.
CM Devendra Fadnavis addressed the media at his official residence, expressing profound grief and saying that Ajit Dada, a leader forged through struggle, never wavered, moved forward with determination, earned immense trust and affection from the people, and contributed significantly to Maharashtra’s development.
दादा गेले!
जमिनीशी घट्ट नाळ असलेले जननेते, माझे मित्र आणि सहकारी, उपमुख्यमंत्री अजितदादा पवार यांचा विमान अपघातात मृत्यू झाल्याची घटना मनाला अत्यंत व्यथित करणारी आहे. मनाला चटका लावणारी आहे. मन सुन्न झाले आहे. भावना व्यक्त करण्यासाठी माझ्याकडे शब्द नाहीत.
माझा दमदार आणि दिलदार…— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 28, 2026
CM Fadnavis confirmed that he and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde would travel to Baramati to meet Pawar’s family and finalise arrangements for the last rites and official tributes.
मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी आपले सर्व कार्यक्रम रद्द केले असून ते आणि उपमुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे दोघेही थोड्याच वेळात बारामतीसाठी रवाना होत आहेत. राज्यात आज शासकीय सुटी जाहीर करण्यात आली असून तीन दिवसांचा दुखवटा जाहीर करण्यात आला आहे.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 28, 2026
The state government also declared Wednesday a public holiday in honour of the late leader.
Ajit Pawar, along with a PSO, attendant, and two crew members, died when the Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR crashed and caught fire.
His untimely demise leaves a significant void in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the state entering a period of deep mourning.
Also Read: CM Fadnavis Mourns Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s Untimely Demise
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