‘Praying For Strength And Courage’: PM Narendra Modi Speaks To Sharad Pawar, Condoles Ajit Pawar’s Death After Tragic Baramati Air Crash

Ajit Pawar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to express his condolences following the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an air crash near Baramati.

Ajit Pawar, 66, died after the chartered aircraft he was travelling in crash-landed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district on Wednesday morning. All five people on board, including Pawar, two pilots, a flight attendant and his personal security officer, were killed in the accident.

Aircraft Crash Near Baramati, Probe Underway

The crash occurred around 8.48 am near the runway threshold of Baramati airport. Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have rushed investigation teams to the site to ascertain the cause of the mishap.

Ajit Pawar was en route to Baramati to campaign for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections when the accident took place.

PM Modi Pays Tribute On X

In a series of posts on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “Saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families,” he wrote.

In another post, the Prime Minister described Ajit Pawar as a mass leader with strong grassroots connect. He highlighted Pawar’s administrative acumen, dedication to public service and commitment to empowering the poor, calling his untimely death “deeply shocking and saddening”.

Sharad Pawar Reaches Baramati, Leaders Across Parties Condole

Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar and his wife travelled from their Mumbai residence to the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College in Baramati, where the mortal remains of the deceased were kept.

President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were among several leaders who condoled Ajit Pawar’s demise.

Ajit Pawar’s Political Journey

Ajit Pawar began his political career under the guidance of his uncle Sharad Pawar and remained closely associated with him since the early 1990s. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati in 1991 and later vacated the seat for Sharad Pawar.

He went on to become a seven-time MLA from the Baramati Assembly constituency, winning successive elections from 1991 to 2014. In November 2019, he split from the NCP and joined a BJP-led government, becoming Deputy Chief Minister. In February 2024, the Election Commission awarded the NCP name and symbol to his faction.

Despite political differences, Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar recently came together during the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal elections, projecting a joint development agenda.

State Mourning Announced

Known for his blunt style and straightforward politics, Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, and his sons Jay and Parth Pawar. The Maharashtra government has announced three days of state mourning following his death.

(Via Agency Inputs)

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