Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s Last Rites to Be Held with Full State Honours

Baramati, Jan 2026 : The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar will be held on Thursday in his political stronghold, Baramati, with full state honours, following his tragic death in a plane crash on Wednesday morning. Pawar’s mortal remains have been laid at the Vidya Pratishtan ground, allowing supporters, party workers, and locals to pay their final respects. A massive gathering is expected throughout the day, reflecting the deep connection the leader maintained with his constituents.

The funeral will be attended by several senior political leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and prominent leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party and allied parties. At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are also expected to be present, underscoring the magnitude of the loss.

In honour of Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning, during which the national flag will fly at half-mast on all government buildings across the state. The period of mourning also includes a temporary suspension of celebratory events and official festivities, paying tribute to the Deputy Chief Minister’s public service.

The tragedy struck when a Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK), operated by VSR Ventures, crashed near Baramati Airport. Alongside Deputy CM Pawar, the aircraft carried four others: his personal security officer, a flight attendant, and two crew members. The victims have been identified as Vidip Jadhav, Pinky Mali, Pilot-in-Command Sumit Kapur, and Second-in-Command Shambhavi Pathak.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), while the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the official investigation. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the flight had been authorised to land on Runway 11 at 8:43 a.m. after the crew aborted an earlier landing attempt. Ground controllers noted a lack of verbal response from the cockpit, and just sixty seconds later, at 8:44 a.m., flames erupted near the runway threshold, marking the catastrophic end of the flight.

The crash has also brought scrutiny to VSR Ventures, which operates a fleet of 17 aircraft. Notably, on September 14, 2023, another Learjet 45 owned by the same company (registration VT-DBL) suffered a landing accident at Mumbai Airport, which is still under investigation. Authorities are reviewing both incidents to ensure aviation safety and prevent future tragedies.

Ajit Pawar’s death has left Maharashtra and the NCP in shock. A stalwart of state politics, he was a key figure in Maharashtra’s administration and a bridge between grassroots governance and party leadership. Known for his political acumen, Pawar held multiple portfolios over decades and was respected across party lines. His leadership and initiatives in Baramati and across the state have had a lasting impact on rural development, infrastructure, and political strategy.

As Baramati prepares to bid farewell, thousands of people are expected to pay homage, highlighting Pawar’s enduring popularity and influence. Authorities and investigators continue to examine the crash in detail, balancing public mourning with the urgent need for clarity on aviation safety.

The final rites of Ajit Pawar are set to be a solemn occasion, marked by political and public presence, while Maharashtra mourns the loss of one of its most prominent leaders and reflects on his decades-long contribution to the state’s political and social fabric.