Maharashtra Budget 2026 Dedicated to Ajit Pawar; Memorial Planned for Late Deputy CM, Says Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government will set up a memorial for former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a tragic air crash in January, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced while presenting the state budget on Friday. During his address, Fadnavis paid tribute to the late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and said the government would honour his contributions to Maharashtra’s development by dedicating the state budget to him.

 Fadnavis said “My heart feels heavy today.” Speaking on Ajit Pawar, Mr. Fadnavis said “The man who was the Deputy Chief Minister for maximum number of times if not among us today. He had presented the Budget for 11 years. His fiscal prudence had kept the State on track. This Budget is dedicated to him.” Mr. Fadnavis added “Ajit Pawar’s memorial will be constructed.”

Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, had played a key role in Maharashtra politics for decades and served multiple terms as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister. His sudden death in the January air crash sent shockwaves across the political spectrum, with leaders from various parties expressing condolences. A Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by aviation company VSR Ventures, crashed near the Baramati airstrip on the morning of January 28, killing Ajit Pawar and four others.The plane carried five people: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, flight attendant Pinky Mali, Pilot-in-Command Sumit Kapur, and Second-in-Command Shambahvi Pathak.