The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, expressed profound sorrow on Wednesday regarding the tragic death of his colleague, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash. He confirmed that an investigation into the incident will be conducted.
During a conversation with reporters, Shinde praised Pawar's significant contributions, noting that he served alongside him in various cabinets and held the position of Deputy Chief Minister under Shinde's leadership from 2022 to 2024.
Shinde remarked, “This is a deeply painful event... it is a tragic loss for Maharashtra. An inquiry into the plane crash will take place.” He added, “This loss is not just for the Pawar family but for the entire state. It feels as though I have lost a big brother.”
Officials reported that the plane crash in Pune district on Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of 66-year-old Pawar and four others.
Shinde described Pawar as a fearless leader with a pure heart and a strong grasp of administration. He recalled how, during his tenure as Chief Minister, Pawar, who was then the Finance Minister, facilitated financial arrangements for the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ which provides monthly assistance of ₹1,500 to women in the state.
Shinde concluded by stating, “We worked as a team (Shinde, Pawar, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis).”
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