Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday declared a holiday and three-day mourning in the state in the wake of the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash this morning.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Chief Minister Fadnavis said the decision regarding Pawar’s last rites would be taken after consultation with his family.
The Chief Minister said, “Today we have declared a holiday in the state and also announced three days of state mourning. This is an irreparable loss for the entire state of Maharashtra.”
Expressing grief over the demise of Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis said that there is a wave of mourning in the entire Maharashtra. He remembered Pawar as a hard-working leader and appreciated his contribution to the state.
Describing the tragic incident as a personal loss, Devendra Fadnavis said, “Ajit Dada was a hard-working leader and did not waver under any circumstances. This is a difficult day for Maharashtra. Such leadership takes time to develop. He has made a significant contribution to the development of Maharashtra. His demise is shocking and for me it is a personal loss; a friend has left me. It is a huge loss for the family.”
He further said, “Eknath Shinde and I will leave for Baramati soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Amit Shah ji have spoken to me about this and both have expressed deep grief over this incident. This incident has sent a wave of grief across Maharashtra. His last rites will be planned after discussion with the family. I have spoken to Supriya Tai (Supriya Sule) and Parth Pawar. As soon as we reach Baramati, we will talk to the family members and then about his last rites.” “I will take a decision.”
Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains have been brought to Baramati Hospital, outside which a huge crowd has gathered. NCP working president Praful Patel left for Baramati from New Delhi along with NCP (SCP) MP and Ajit Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule, Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and son Parth Pawar.
The NCP chief died in a charter plane crash this morning while on his way to Brahmati from Mumbai. He was in Mumbai on January 27, where he attended the meeting of the Committee on Infrastructure of the Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Ajit Pawar, 66, was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar and cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.
Ajit Pawar has been the longest serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and this tenure has not been continuous. He held the post of Deputy Chief Minister six times in different governments. He served as Deputy Chief Minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.
He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and two sons Jai and Parth Pawar.