Maharashtra's Deputy CM Ajit Pawar passed away in an tragic plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday morning. Entire state is in shock and mourning for the loss of one of the prominent leader in politics. The crash occurred at around 8:48 am when a Lear Jet 45 aircraft, VT-SSK, carrying Pawar from Mumbai to Baramati went off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport. The DGCA confirmed that Ajit Pawar, along with two security personnel and two crew members, died when their aircraft crashed. Pawar was en route to Baramati in Pune district to address four public meetings before the Zilla Parishad polls. Shiv Sena UBT spokes person Sanjay Raut reacted by saying that this is the darkest day in the political and social life of Maharashtra.
While speaking to media Sanjay Raut said, When we received news about the crash we were praying that Ajit Pawar would come out of the accident unharmed. But unfortunately, this news came to us. Without Ajit Pawar, the politics and social life of Maharashtra will be bland and tasteless. His personality was open-hearted, straightforward, and he was a leader loved by his party workers. With Ajit Pawar's passing, a mountain of sorrow has fallen upon Maharashtra. His way of speaking, his working style, and his grip on administration will forever remain in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra. He had a special connection with Baramati. It is a strange coincidence that he died in the same Baramati. I never thought I would have to offer him condolences," said MP Sanjay Raut, expressing his grief.
Speaking to reporters, Sanjay Raut said that Ajit Pawar was the Deputy Chief Minister in Uddhav Thackeray's cabinet. When Uddhav Thackeray was the Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar was a minister who came to the cabinet meetings fully prepared. He also contributed to the education sector. Sharad Pawar brought him into politics. After that, for the last two and a half years, he had been pursuing politics independently, away from Sharad Pawar. It was unimaginable that this political journey would come to such a premature end. He had a reputation as an efficient minister. He used the position he received for the benefit of the people. Even if there was anger in his words, he had the knack of keeping the atmosphere light and cheerful with a humorous remark. Today, Maharashtra is truly in mourning.
We don't know what kind of calamity has befallen Maharashtra, what planetary alignments have occurred. For some time now, prominent leaders of Maharashtra have been snatched away by death. Vilasrao Deshmukh, Gopinath Munde, and now Ajit Pawar are gone, he said. He was also the Deputy Chief Minister 5-6 times. He had the desire to become the Chief Minister. If he had become the Chief Minister, Maharashtra would have got an excellent and efficient Chief Minister. But unfortunately, he could not become the Chief Minister, and today he died in this tragic accident. It's impossible to say what else Maharashtra will have to witness. Shiv Sena party chief Uddhav Thackeray is distressed by Ajit Pawar's death. Sanjay Raut also said that the Pawar family had a very affectionate relationship with the Thackeray family.
Sanjay Raut recounts 'that' memory
Meanwhile, whenever we had meetings with Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar was always there. He was with us until 11 PM the night before he took the oath in the early morning. The events that unfolded during the search for him after 11 PM were very interesting. Ajit Pawar's support was extremely important in forming the government under Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. When the government was formed, Ajit Pawar also took the oath along with Uddhav Thackeray at Shivtirth. The next day, after going to the Ministry, he made his first call to me. Raut recounted this memory, saying that the efforts we all put in to form the government, and especially his mention of me, will always be remembered.