Baramati witnessed an outpouring of grief and political solidarity on Thursday as thousands gathered to bid farewell to senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who died in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday morning. The 66-year-old leader, popularly known as “Dada,” was cremated with full state honours in his political stronghold, marking the end of an era in Maharashtra politics.
Supporters and party workers had assembled in large numbers for a planned funeral procession that was scheduled to begin at 9 am and pass through multiple locations before reaching the Vidya Pratishthan ground. However, authorities decided to take Pawar’s body directly to the cremation site due to swelling crowds and concerns over the condition of the body.
Pawar’s immediate family, including his wife Sunetra and sons Parth and Jay, were present at the last rites. His uncle and NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar also attended, despite the political rift that followed Ajit Pawar’s 2023 rebellion, which led to a split in the party and a major realignment in Maharashtra politics. Leaders from across party lines, including Supriya Sule, Uddhav Thackeray, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, paid their respects. Several film and sports personalities were also seen at the funeral.
Ajit Pawar died along with four others, including both pilots, when his chartered Learjet 45 crashed while attempting to land at the Baramati airfield. Investigators have confirmed the recovery of the aircraft’s black box, which is expected to provide crucial details about the final moments of the flight. Preliminary information suggests issues during landing, including missed communication protocols and the absence of recently mandated satellite-based safety equipment.
Pawar’s death has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political landscape and created uncertainty over the future leadership of his NCP faction. It has also left several of his proposed development initiatives for Baramati and the state incomplete, adding to the sense of loss felt by supporters and colleagues alike.
