President, PM Modi and other leaders mourn Ajit Pawar’s death after Baramati plane crash

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Leaders from across the country expressed shock and grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday.

President Droupadi Murmu described the incident as extremely tragic and called Pawar’s death an irreparable loss. She said he would be remembered for his contribution to Maharashtra’s development, particularly in the cooperative sector, and extended condolences to his family, supporters and admirers. The President also expressed sympathy for the families of others who lost their lives in the crash.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pawar was a leader with a strong grassroots connect and a deep understanding of administration. Calling his demise shocking and saddening, Modi conveyed condolences to Pawar’s family and countless admirers.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was deeply shocked by the untimely death and noted Pawar’s long commitment to Maharashtra’s development and public service.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Pawar’s passing was a personal loss for him and the NDA, describing him as a senior colleague who devoted over three decades to public welfare in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat wrote on X "The news of the untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar is extremely shocking and heartbreaking. He was a dedicated leader deeply connected with the people at the grassroots level. He will always be remembered as a hardworking and committed leader who was constantly devoted to serving the people of Maharashtra.

My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. May God grant strength and courage to the bereaved families to endure this immense loss."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he has lost a strong and generous friend with the sad and untimely demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati. 

In his condolence, CM Fadnavis said, “Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has lost his life in a plane accident. There is an atmosphere of sadness in the state. Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss. In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together. At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra's development, his untimely demise is a loss. We stand with his family. I, along with Eknath Shinde ji, will go to Baramati today. I have informed the PM and HM about the incident, and they have expressed sadness over it."

He further stated, “Dada has left us! The news of the death of Ajitdada Pawar, the people's leader with a deep connection to the land, my friend and colleague, the Deputy Chief Minister, in a plane crash, is extremely heartbreaking. It is a shock to the soul. The mind is numb. I have no words to express my emotions. I have lost my strong and generous friend. This is a personal loss for me. This is a loss that can never be compensated. Today is an extremely difficult day for Maharashtra. I pay my heartfelt tribute to Dada.”

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde offered his heartfelt condolences and said he prayed to God to give strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.

Speaking to reporters, Eknath Shinde said, “I offer my heartfelt condolences and pray to God to give Ajit Pawar’s family the strength to overcome this grief. I earnestly pray to God for the same during this extremely difficult time.”

Shinde also stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.

“This unfortunate accident must be probed so that such incidents do not occur again in the future. A detailed investigation will definitely take place. When I was the Chief Minister, several important decisions were taken in the interest of society, and at that time Ajit Pawar was the Finance Minister. His contributions to those decisions were significant and cannot be overlooked,” he said.

In this moment of grief, I stand with the people of Maharashtra. I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and their loved ones during this hour of sorrow."

President of the Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhbir Singh Badal termed Pawar’s death in the plane crash a tragic loss and extended condolences to his family and the people of Maharashtra.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he was shocked and deeply saddened by Pawar’s sudden passing and offered condolences to his family and followers.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said Pawar’s death was a great loss to public life and Maharashtra politics, remembering him as a leader who served with experience and resolve.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said he was deeply pained by the tragedy and conveyed condolences to Pawar’s family, including Supriya Sule, and the families of all those who died.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was shocked and stunned by Pawar’s sudden demise and called for a proper investigation into the incident.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said he was deeply pained by the news and offered condolences to Pawar’s family and supporters.

Senior advocate and MP Kapil Sibal described Pawar as a national stalwart, an organiser par excellence and a people’s person, extending condolences to his family and the NCP.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has confirmed that all passengers on board the aircraft were killed when it crashed while attempting to land near Baramati.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Shri Ajit Pawar in the plane crash in Baramati earlier today. My sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and all those affected by this loss. May his contributions to public life be remembered, and may the bereaved find strength in this difficult time."

State revenue minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule said he was deeply shaken by the heartbreaking news of the plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra’s beloved Deputy Chief Minister and his senior friend, Ajit Dada Pawar, in Baramati.

Shiv Sena leader Ambadas Danve said, “Ajitdada... The leadership that stood tall through four decades of relentless hard work has slipped away from us in a single moment. A towering leader who gave words their true meaning, had an excellent grip on administration, and was deeply connected to the grassroots people -- Maharashtra has lost such a leader today in the form of Ajit Dada. This loss belongs not just to the Pawar family but to the entire state of Maharashtra. In this hour of grief, we all stand in solidarity with the sorrow of the Pawar family.”

BJP MP Ujwal Nikam said, “On the passing away of Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam said, "This is a very sad incident. I have known him for the past many years. He always kept his word. Once I met with an accident while coming from Pune to Mumbai. At the time, Ajit ji called me and inquired about the incident and me. He always used to worry about others. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, is a fellow Rajya Sabha member. This is a huge loss for her. This is my personal loss and a loss for Maharashtra."