Friday, July 17

State

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 ...
Ajit Pawar Tried to Reunite NCP: How His Death Raises New Questions
State, Uttar Pradesh

Ajit Pawar Tried to Reunite NCP: How His Death Raises New Questions

Pune: Recent developments within Maharashtra politics had suggested the possibility of reconciliation within the Pawar family and a reunification of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). However, the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has cast uncertainty over these prospects. Political analysts note that Ajit Pawar was central to the entire process, and without him, reaching a consensus between the two NCP factions is expected to be far more challenging. Ajit Pawar had publicly stated that his primary political aim was to bring the two NCP factions together on a single platform. He also emphasized that this effort could only proceed with the guidance and blessing of Sharad Pawar, whom he credited for nurturing his political career and shaping his leadership style. Mai...
“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...
Who Will Take Over as Maharashtra’s Finance Minister After Ajit Pawar? Government Faces Major Challenge
Maharashtra, State

Who Will Take Over as Maharashtra’s Finance Minister After Ajit Pawar? Government Faces Major Challenge

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 ...
How Will Maharashtra Politics Shape Up Without Ajit Pawar? New Equations May Emerge
Maharashtra, State

How Will Maharashtra Politics Shape Up Without Ajit Pawar? New Equations May Emerge

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...
Low Visibility, Technical Glitch, or Something Else: What Caused Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crash? Black Box to Reveal Details
Maharashtra, State

Low Visibility, Technical Glitch, or Something Else: What Caused Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crash? Black Box to Reveal Details

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 ...
Political Controversy Erupts After Ajit Pawar’s Death; Fadnavis Slams Mamata Banerjee Following Sharad Pawar’s Statement
Maharashtra, Politics, State

Political Controversy Erupts After Ajit Pawar’s Death; Fadnavis Slams Mamata Banerjee Following Sharad Pawar’s Statement

Mumbai: The sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a Baramati plane crash has sent shockwaves across the state. Amidst the grief, political tensions have emerged following remarks by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who called for a probe into the incident, hinting at possible foul play. Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s uncle and senior NCP leader, strongly rejected these claims, urging political leaders not to exploit the tragedy. Speaking to the media hours after the accident, Sharad Pawar said, “I did not intend to come on media, but I learned that some outlets in Kolkata are suggesting political motives behind this accident. Let me make it clear—this is a tragic accident, nothing else. Maharashtra, we are all deeply saddened by this loss. Please do not ...
Ajit Pawar’s Last Election Triumph Came from Ahilyanagar, Highlighting His Special Bond with the City
Maharashtra, State

Ajit Pawar’s Last Election Triumph Came from Ahilyanagar, Highlighting His Special Bond with the City

Ahmednagar/Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Baramati. While he was born in Ahmednagar, his political and personal ties with Baramati were unbreakable. It was in this city that he breathed his last and where he won the hearts of countless supporters over decades. Ajit Pawar, who held the post of Deputy CM for 9 years and 305 days, had a long-standing connection with Baramati, representing it in elections nine times. His sudden death has plunged the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) into mourning, and Maharashtra has declared a three-day state mourning period. Pawar’s supporters, friends, and well-wishers are struggling to come to terms with the loss. After the NCP’s weak performance in municipal elections across 29 cities, ...