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Baramati plane crash: Senior political leaders from across the country gathered in Baramati on Thursday to pay their final respects to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose death in a chartered aircraft crash has left the state and the nation in mourning. The last rites were held at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, drawing a large turnout of political figures, party workers, and members of the public.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Nabin, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were among those who arrived at the venue to attend the solemn ceremony. The atmosphere remained subdued as leaders offered condolences to the bereaved family.

Fatal Crash Near Baramati Airport

Ajit Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, died a day earlier when the chartered aircraft in which he was travelling crash-landed near the runway of Baramati airport. All five people on board the aircraft lost their lives in the accident, according to official information. The incident has raised serious concerns over flight safety, particularly involving chartered aircraft.

Authorities have confirmed that the crash occurred during the landing phase, though the exact sequence of events leading to the tragedy is yet to be publicly established. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the accident.

Leaders Pay Last Respects

Several senior leaders paid homage to Pawar during the funeral proceedings. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant were seen offering floral tributes and observing moments of silence in his memory.

Political colleagues described Pawar as a widely respected leader with a strong connection to the people of Maharashtra. His death has been described as a significant loss to state politics, cutting across party lines.

Family Performs Final Rituals

The final rites were performed by Pawar’s sons, Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar, who carried out the traditional rituals in the presence of close family members. Sunetra Pawar, his wife and a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, also paid her last respects during the ceremony.

Family members were surrounded by supporters and well-wishers, many of whom travelled from different parts of the state to attend the funeral. The presence of senior leaders reflected Pawar’s stature in public life.

Large Public Turnout at Ceremony

Drone visuals from the Vidya Pratishthan ground showed a large gathering assembled to witness the final farewell. Supporters, party workers, and local residents stood quietly as the rites were conducted, underscoring the emotional impact of Pawar’s sudden death.

Security arrangements were put in place to manage the crowd, with local authorities coordinating traffic and access to the venue throughout the day.

Last Rites of Security Officer Held Separately

Meanwhile, the last rites of Vidip Dilip Jadhav, the personal security officer of Ajit Pawar who also died in the crash, were conducted in his native village in Satara district on Wednesday night. Jadhav’s young son performed the final rituals, a moment that deeply moved those present.

Jadhav was among the five individuals on board the ill-fated aircraft, and his death has added to the grief surrounding the tragedy.

Calls for Transparent Investigation

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the crash, stating that condolences alone are insufficient. Speaking to the media, Raut raised concerns over a series of chartered flight accidents reported across the country in recent years.

He questioned whether technical malfunctions, radar issues, or airport-related shortcomings could be contributing factors and stressed the need for clarity. According to Raut, the findings of the investigation should be made public to identify root causes and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Raut noted that Ajit Pawar’s death has shocked not only Maharashtra but the entire nation, adding that accountability and transparency are essential following such a major loss.