The tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati has left not only the state but the entire country in deep shock. He was one of the most prominent leaders in Indian politics, and his passing has left a void that can never be filled. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath extended heartfelt condolences to the late Ajit Pawar and his family.
He said, "The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, has tragically passed away in a plane crash. On this sorrowful occasion, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the late Ajit Pawar and his family, and I bow in respect to his cherished memories. I also offer my humble tributes to all the departed souls who lost their lives along with him."
Ajit Pawar, the longest-serving non-consecutive Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra with six terms, will likely be cremated around 11 A.M. tomorrow, Thursday, at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati. He served as deputy chief minister under Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
Ajit Pawar died after the aircraft he was travelling on crash-landed in Baramati on Wednesday. Pawar was en routeto Baramati to address a public rally ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. The aircraft, Learjet 45, on which Pawar was travelling, was scheduled to take off at 7:00 A.M. Instead, it took off at 8:10 A.M., and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) received information about the crash at 9:12 A.M.
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A DGCA official told PTI that Ajit Pawar was among the five people on board the aircraft, which included two staff members and two crew members. Condolences from various political leaders have poured in following Pawar's death. Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu stated that preliminary investigations suggest low visibility caused the crash.