lso On Wednesday, the Maharashtra government announced a three-day state mourning to mark the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. As per the official notification, his cremation will take place with full state honours on Thursday at 11 AM.
Throughout the mourning period, the authorities will lower the national flag to half-mast at all government buildings where they customarily display it. Additionally, the state has cancelled all official entertainment programmes.
As a mark of respect, government offices across Maharashtra remained shut on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the final rites of Ajit Pawar. Their participation reflects the stature Pawar held in national politics and public life.
Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar described the incident as shocking and heart-rending, stating, “The news of the untimely demise of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajitdada Pawar, in an aeroplane crash is extremely painful and shocking. Through this heart-numbing, tragic incident, the state has lost an experienced, dutiful, and steadfast leader. His strong grip on the administration, decisiveness, and zeal for the all-round progress of Maharashtra have left a distinct mark on the state’s politics. Steadfastness, discipline, punctuality, and unwavering diligence were the prominent facets of his personality.”
मन सुन्न करणारी दुर्दैवी घटना
महाराष्ट्र राज्याचे उपमुख्यमंत्री अजितदादा पवार यांच्या विमान अपघातात झालेल्या अकाली निधनाची बातमी अत्यंत वेदनादायक आणि धक्कादायक आहे. मन सुन्न करणाऱ्या या दुर्दैवी घटनेमुळे राज्याने एक अनुभवी, कर्तव्यदक्ष आणि कणखर नेता गमावला आहे.
प्रशासनावर… pic.twitter.com/kKaZ6yjBMs
— Adv. Ashish Shelar – ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) January 28, 2026
“In this difficult time, we share in the grief of the Pawar family, along with all the workers, office-bearers, and leaders of the NCP. May they find the strength to recover from this sorrow—this is our prayer. Heartfelt tribute! Om Shanti,” he further added.
Leaders Recall His Public Service
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde also recalled his long association with Pawar, describing, “I learned of this tragic incident this morning… A colleague who worked with us and stayed with us for nearly 20 years. When I was the Chief Minister, he also worked in my Council of Ministers. He was known as a very gentle, affable, and helpful worker who assisted everyone… In Maharashtra’s political life, he made a name for himself… Whatever work he was given, he did it wholeheartedly, thoughtfully, and with complete depth. Especially, the work he did for the poor, farmers, and cooperatives cannot be forgotten… This is a great loss which cannot be compensated. I express my condolences.”
Union Minister and Shiv Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav also noted, “I have known Ajit Dada closely since 1990… He had a very straightforward nature, spoke directly, and was hardworking. He gave great importance to time… Also He never hesitated in speaking clearly… Even outside the party, he worked. Today, this is a very big tragedy for Maharashtra, the shock of which has shaken all of us… This news has caused us great sorrow… I pay heartfelt tribute to him.”
महाराष्ट्राच्या राजकारणातील एक झंझावात आणि जनसामान्यांचे नेते, अजितदादा पवार यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अत्यंत दुःखद आहे. त्यांच्या जाण्याने राज्याच्या सार्वजनिक जीवनात कधीही भरून न निघणारी पोकळी निर्माण झाली आहे. प्रशासनावरील जरब आणि सामान्यांच्या प्रश्नांची जाण असलेला हा प्रखर… pic.twitter.com/WYnooHtAPj
— Prataprao Jadhav (@mpprataprao) January 28, 2026
Congress MP Digvijaya Singh questioned the circumstances, stating, “Ajit Pawar ji had a long political career. The question is – why did this accident occur? According to preliminary information received, an aircraft from the same company suffered a similar crash in Mumbai three years ago. This incident happened due to low visibility. DGCA should conduct a full investigation into the incident. Who is conducting the maintenance of the aircraft owned by the company which owned the crashed aircraft?”
Echoing the collective grief, AICC leader Manikrao Thakre said, “His sudden passing is a great loss to us… This is a loss to the entire public of Maharashtra… This is a tragic incident… There is a sadness in the entire Maharashtra today.”
Also Read: PM Modi Expresses Grief To Sharad Pawar; Ajit Pawar’s Last Rites Tomorrow
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