Three days of mourning have been declared in Maharashtra following the tragic death of the state’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday. The aircraft, which was en route to his home constituency for a campaign event, attempted to land unsuccessfully and caught fire upon impact. Tragically, Pawar, along with two staff members and two crew members, did not survive the incident.
In the days following the accident, thousands of mourners paid their respects during Pawar’s funeral in Baramati, where he was cremated with full state honors. Significant figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, were expected to attend the ceremonies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Pawar as a “leader of the people,” noting his dedication and respect within the Maharashtra community.
Pawar’s tenure in politics spanned several decades, during which he served as deputy chief minister six times under various coalition governments. His political journey was deeply rooted in his family’s legacy, having joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1980, which was founded by his uncle, Sharad Pawar. He was viewed as a potential successor to his uncle but faced challenges in establishing his own identity within the party, leading to notable political tensions.
His political landscape shifted significantly in 2023 when he broke away from the NCP to form a faction that allied with the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aiding in the party’s takeover of Maharashtra. This move fractured the NCP, paving the way for his return as deputy chief minister after the BJP-led coalition won the state elections in 2024. Recently, conversations had begun around the possibility of reunifying the splintered NCP factions.
With Ajit Pawar’s passing, Maharashtra is left grappling with a notable power vacuum. Questions are now emerging about his potential successors and the future direction of the NCP factions. The coming days will likely shape the political landscape of the state as leaders and supporters mourn Pawar’s contributions while considering the implications of his absence.