Maharashtra

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

Pune/Mumbai: The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has created not just a political but also a significant administrative challenge for the state government. With the budget session approaching, his absence is being acutely felt across all levels of governance. Ajit Pawar was widely respected for his administrative experience and strong command over the bureaucracy. Traditionally, the departments under the Deputy Chief Minister now temporarily fall under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. According to sources, a formal notification regarding the redistribution of responsibilities is expected after the three-day state mourning period. Budget Session Starting 23 February The state budget session is scheduled to begin on 23 February, with the budget set to ...

Mumbai: The sudden demise of Ajit Pawar is set to leave far-reaching impacts on Maharashtra’s political landscape. His loss will affect the state government, the NCP, the Pawar family’s political influence, Maratha politics, reservation movements, the sugar lobby, and the cooperative sector. Baramati, once the epicenter of Pawar family politics, now faces a void whose replacement will not be immediate or straightforward. Leadership Crisis The state currently operates under a ‘triple-engine’ coalition government. With Ajit Pawar gone, one crucial engine has been derailed. The Ajit faction in the assembly consists of 41 MLAs, while Eknath Shinde’s faction has 57 and the BJP 132, with the majority mark at 145. While the coalition’s overall stability may remain intact, Ajit Pawar’s facti...

Pune/Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in a private plane crash near Baramati early Wednesday morning. The accident occurred around 8:45 AM, claiming the lives of five people on board. Pawar’s Learjet 45, an eight-seater private jet from the Bombardier family, was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati when it went down approximately 100 kilometers from Pune. Among the passengers were two pilots, a flight attendant, and a private security officer. They have been identified as Captain Sumit Kapoor, First Officer Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and security officer Videep Jadhav. How the Accident Happened Preliminary reports suggest that poor visibility due to dense fog and possible technical issues may have contributed to the ...