Ajit Pawar’s Last Rites Held Amidst Heavy Mourning; Riteish Deshmukh Pays Tribute

The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar were held on 29 January 2026 at the Vidya Pratishthan grounds. His sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar, performed the cremation rituals. The mortal remains of Pawar were carried on a beautifully decorated ceremonial chariot for the final journey. The chariot was adorned with flowers and a board displaying his photograph along with the words: “Late Ajit Dada Pawar – Forever Remembered.”

The procession began at 9 a.m. from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima) and passed through the city, allowing the public to pay their respects. The cremation took place at 11 a.m. amid a large gathering. Several notable personalities attended the ceremony, including Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh, who was visibly emotional and paid tribute to the late leader. Deshmukh had earlier addressed Pawar as “Dada” while expressing his condolences following the news of his demise.

Also present at the funeral was Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh, son-in-law of South Indian actor Nandamuri Balakrishna. Lokesh, who is married to Balakrishna’s elder daughter Nandamuri Brahmani, attended along with their son, Nara Devansh.

Ajit Pawar, affectionately known as “Ajit Dada,” passed away on Wednesday in a plane crash at Baramati Airport. He had been attending a public meeting related to district council elections in Baramati. The tragedy also claimed the lives of pilot Captain Sumit Kapoor, co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali. Their families have received the bodies following post-mortem procedures.

Born on 22 July 1959 in Deolali Pravara, Rahuri Taluka, Ahmednagar district, Ajit Pawar leaves behind a rich political legacy spanning decades of public service. Leaders across the political spectrum, including Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray, visited Pawar’s Baramati residence to offer their condolences.