(Image source from: PTI)
Ajit Pawar, who was the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and an important leader of the NCP, was cremated on Thursday, a day after his tragic death in a plane accident. Many people gathered in Baramati, his family’s traditional area, for the cremation, where shouts of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” filled the air. Several prominent figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP leader Nitin Nabin, and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, came to pay their respects.
On Wednesday morning, a Bombardier Learjet 45, which had Ajit Pawar and four other individuals on board, crashed at Baramati airport around 8.45 am. He was en route from Mumbai to Baramati for a Zilla Parishad election event. Tragically, all five aboard, including Ajit Pawar, his security officer, an attendant, and two pilots, lost their lives. The impact caused the plane to explode and catch fire, making it hard to recognize the remains. Early reports from the DGCA indicate that the pilots had difficulties due to low visibility and thick fog. The plane crashed during its second attempt to land safely after an initial attempt went wrong.
The Maharashtra government declared a three-day mourning period. Many leaders from across India, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, shared their sorrow over this loss. He was given a ceremonial cremation on Thursday at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati. His sons, Jay and Parth Pawar, set the funeral pyre on fire in front of high-ranking officials and many supporters. The pilot, Sumit Kapur, who also died in the crash with Ajit Pawar and the others, will be cremated at the Punjabi Bagh cremation ground in Delhi. Sumit Kapur lived in Rajouri Garden, Delhi. Sources say his body will be transported from Mumbai to Delhi for the final farewell. Family, friends, and supporters have been coming to his home to pay their respects.
The Civil Aviation Ministry announced that all necessary actions and investigations were started immediately after the Baramati plane crash, emphasizing the importance of a thorough, clear, and timely examination. The ministry also reported that the investigation is moving quickly and that the black box from the doomed aircraft has been found.
