'I’ve lost a strong friend': Fadnavis announces three-day state mourning; next steps after meeting Ajit Pawar’s family

The DGCA has initiated standard procedures to examine the incident.

• Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in an aircraft crash near Baramati, Maharashtra.
• Three-day state mourning declared; Wednesday is a holiday across Maharashtra.
• All five on board the aircraft died; last rites to be held in Baramati.

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Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced a three-day state mourning and declared a holiday after deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar died in an aircraft accident near Baramati. Fadnavis said that he and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde are heading to Baramati, and that the further course of action will be decided after speaking with Ajit Pawar’s family.

“This morning, a very tragic incident occurred,” Fadnavis told reporters. “In extremely unforeseen circumstances, the news of the unfortunate demise of our state’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, in an aircraft accident reached everyone, spreading a wave of grief across Maharashtra.”

Calling it an “extremely difficult day” for the state, Fadnavis said Pawar’s death was “unbelievable and shocking,” adding that he had lost “a strong and generous friend” and that the loss to Pawar’s family was enormous.

State mourning and immediate steps

The chief minister announced a three-day state mourning and said Wednesday would be observed as a holiday. Flags will fly at half-mast at government buildings, and official functions stand suspended during the mourning period.

Fadnavis and Shinde are travelling to Baramati, Pawar’s hometown, to coordinate with the family and district administration.

What happened

The crash occurred on Wednesday morning as Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. The aircraft, a Learjet 45 chartered from Mumbai, went off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport, according to the airport management.

Five people were on board, including Pawar. All died in the crash.

On board the aircraft

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), those on board included pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak, Mumbai PSO head constable and security staffer Vidhit Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali.

The DGCA has initiated standard procedures to examine the incident.

Political reactions

Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Pawar’s death as 'deeply shocking,' calling him a grassroots leader who worked at the forefront of public service. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Fadnavis to seek details.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and leaders across parties issued statements of condolence.

Family and last rites

Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and sister Supriya Sule are heading to Baramati. Pawar’s brother Shriniwas Pawar told Hindustan Times that the last rites would be held in Baramati.