Thursday, March 26

Maharashtra

Baramati Plane Crash: Aircraft Had Previously Carried Top BJP Leaders to Bihar Elections
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Baramati Plane Crash: Aircraft Had Previously Carried Top BJP Leaders to Bihar Elections

Pune, January 29, 2026: A tragic plane crash in Baramati claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The ill-fated aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures, had previously transported prominent leaders during the Bihar assembly elections, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. According to sources at Patna airport, the plane was scheduled to fly again to Patna on the day of the crash. A businessman, Mahesh Kumar Reddy, was supposed to travel from Shamshabad Airport in Andhra Pradesh to Patna on the same aircraft, with a landing time set for 10:30 AM and a return flight at 9:30 PM. Following news of the Baramati accident, Reddy opted for an alternative chartered fligh...
Ajit Pawar Passes Away: Who Will Take the Helm of NCP? Insights into the Pawar Family Order
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Ajit Pawar Passes Away: Who Will Take the Helm of NCP? Insights into the Pawar Family Order

Maharashtra bid farewell to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday, as thousands gathered in Baramati to pay their respects. Supporters raised slogans like “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” (Long live Ajit Dada) in tribute to the late leader. Pawar’s sons, Parth and Jai, performed the final rites and offered their last respects amid emotional scenes. With Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash, speculation has intensified over who will now take charge of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). A Political Legacy in the Pawar Family Ajit Pawar was a dominant figure in Maharashtra politics, particularly in Baramati, the Pawar family stronghold. The family includes several active politicians: Sharad Pawar (85) – Patriarch and senior-most leader Sunetra Pawar (62) – Ajit’s wife, Raj...
Sanjay Raut Questions Ajit Pawar’s Death, References Ahmedabad Plane Crash; Criticizes BJP Over Legacy
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Sanjay Raut Questions Ajit Pawar’s Death, References Ahmedabad Plane Crash; Criticizes BJP Over Legacy

Political tensions in Maharashtra intensified following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane accident. While Sharad Pawar had earlier described the Baramati air mishap as an accident, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) leader Sanjay Raut raised questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, drawing parallels with the Ahmedabad plane crash. Speaking in Mumbai on Thursday, Raut said, “Has there been any proper investigation into the Ahmedabad plane crash? The facts and truth must come before the public.” He added that the sudden demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister is shocking not only for the state but for the entire nation, and the people deserve answers. Criticism of BJP Raut also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the party ...
Ajit Pawar’s Tragic End: Fate’s Grim Coincidence at 66 Years, 6 Months, 6 Days
Maharashtra, State

Ajit Pawar’s Tragic End: Fate’s Grim Coincidence at 66 Years, 6 Months, 6 Days

Pune/Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar passed away in a tragic plane crash, leaving supporters and the political world in shock. On Thursday, he was given a tearful farewell in Baramati, with chants of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” (Long Live Ajit Dada) echoing across the venue. The funeral was attended by prominent leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, and several others, who paid their respects to the six-time Deputy Chief Minister. Ajit Pawar’s passing carries an eerie coincidence: he died at the age of 66 years, 6 months, and 6 days, adding a tragic numerical note to an already sorrowful event. Known affectionately as “Ajit Dada,” he had endured personal loss earlier in life, losing his f...
Mahayuti Loses Its Only Trusted Secular Face: What Ajit Pawar’s Passing Means for the Alliance
Maharashtra, State

Mahayuti Loses Its Only Trusted Secular Face: What Ajit Pawar’s Passing Means for the Alliance

Pune: The passing of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has sent shockwaves across the state and triggered a leadership challenge within the Mahayuti alliance. Pawar was widely regarded as the figure who lent the alliance a balanced and secular image. With his absence, questions are emerging about whether Mahayuti can continue to connect with voters who have traditionally stayed away from BJP-led, hardline Hindutva politics. Ajit Pawar’s political approach often relied on symbolism and careful messaging. A notable example was his deliberate choice not to visit the RSS memorial in Nagpur during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly. While senior BJP leaders and even some alliance partners made it a point to pay respects at the memorial of RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hed...
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Mother Aasha Pawar Watches TV During Tragedy, Staff Quickly Shield Her from News
Maharashtra, State

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Mother Aasha Pawar Watches TV During Tragedy, Staff Quickly Shield Her from News

Pune/Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in a chartered plane crash has left the state in mourning, with Baramati observing a three-day period of official grief. At the time of the crash, Ajit Pawar’s 86-year-old mother, Aasha Tai Pawar, was watching television at the family’s Baramati farmhouse. When breaking news of the accident appeared on TV, Aasha Tai asked the farmhouse manager, Sampat Dhaygude, if her son had been involved in the crash. The staff acted immediately to protect her from the devastating news, disconnecting the TV cable and putting her phone on flight mode to prevent any adverse impact. Determined to See Her SonDespite staff reassurances that nothing was wrong, Aasha Tai insisted on going to see her son. Dhaygude recounted that she...
Ajit Pawar Funeral Live Updates: Maharashtra Deputy CM Given Final Farewell with State Honors; Supporters Chant “Long Live Ajit Dada”
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live Updates: Maharashtra Deputy CM Given Final Farewell with State Honors; Supporters Chant “Long Live Ajit Dada”

Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who tragically died in a plane crash during landing in Baramati on Wednesday, was accorded a state funeral on Thursday. Thousands of supporters gathered to pay their last respects, chanting “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” (Long Live Ajit Dada) as his mortal remains were taken to Vidya Pratishthan Ground. The funeral saw the presence of prominent leaders including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and other dignitaries. Following the news of the crash, a wave of grief swept across Baramati and the entire state of Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally inquired about the incident with CM Fadnavis. A total of five lives were lost in the accident. Funeral ProceedingsDepu...
Caught in the Clouds: How Ajit Pawar Chanted “Panduranga” During a Scary Helicopter Ride, Reassured by Fadnavis
Maharashtra, State

Caught in the Clouds: How Ajit Pawar Chanted “Panduranga” During a Scary Helicopter Ride, Reassured by Fadnavis

Nagpur: A story from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s past has resurfaced following his tragic death in a plane crash. Recounted by Pawar himself during a public rally, the incident highlights his human side and the moments of fear even seasoned politicians face while traveling. In 2024, Ajit Pawar, along with Devendra Fadnavis and then-Industries Minister Uday Samant, was traveling by helicopter from Nagpur to Gadchiroli for the foundation-laying ceremony of Surajgarh Steel Private Limited. Initially, the flight was smooth, but as the helicopter entered thick clouds, Pawar became visibly anxious. Surrounded by dense fog, he could see neither the ground nor trees—only clouds in every direction. Despite Fadnavis calmly conversing beside him, Pawar admitted that he starte...
Ajit Pawar’s Political Legacy: NCP’s Strength and the Seats He Left Behind
Maharashtra, State

Ajit Pawar’s Political Legacy: NCP’s Strength and the Seats He Left Behind

Mumbai/Pune: The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash has created a significant political vacuum and prompted discussions about the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Analysts suggest that the two NCP factions could potentially reunite, but Ajit Pawar’s leadership had been pivotal in maintaining balance. Ajit Pawar first entered the Lok Sabha in 1991 as a Congress MP. Later, after serving as Defence Minister in the Narasimha Rao government, he returned to Maharashtra politics. When his uncle Sharad Pawar left Congress to form the NCP, Ajit remained closely associated with him. In July 2023, Ajit Pawar took charge of the NCP, consolidating political control within his hands. Although the NCP is not very influential at the central ...
“Papa, I’m Flying to Baramati with Ajit Pawar…” Flight Attendant Pinky Mali’s Last Call to Father
Maharashtra, State

“Papa, I’m Flying to Baramati with Ajit Pawar…” Flight Attendant Pinky Mali’s Last Call to Father

Pune/Baramati: The tragic plane crash near Baramati claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Among the victims was flight attendant Pinky Mali, whose final phone conversation with her father has now come to light. Hours before the accident, Pinky Mali called her father, Shivkumar Mali, saying, “Papa, I’m flying to Baramati with Ajit Pawar. After dropping him off, I’ll head to Nanded. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Her father had replied, assuring her they would speak the next day. Tragically, that “tomorrow” never came. Shivkumar Mali expressed his grief, saying, “I have lost my daughter. I just want her body so that I can give her a proper farewell.” Pinky Mali, a resident of Mumbai’s Worli area, was known for her discipline and dedication in the avi...