New Delhi [India], January 28 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed shock over the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a charter plane crash near Baramati earlier today.
Sharing a post on X, Singh wrote, "Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers."
https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/2016374871857807578
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar and his co-passengers died when the chartered aircraft they were travelling in crashed near the landing runway of the Baramati airport. Visuals from the site showed the plane engulfed in flames and smoke spewing out.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief over the tragic incident and called for a thorough investigation.
In a post on X, Banerjee said, "Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji's all friends and followers.The incident needs proper investigation."
https://x.com/MamataOfficial/status/2016374122566336890
Leaders across party lines expressed shock at "heart rending" news, recalled big role in the development of Baramati.
An emotional Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant expressed grief at the news of the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar. "It is very sad news," Sawant said adding that the entire Pawar family is shattered by the news.
"I always did what he said. He was a bold man. He had a big role in the development of the Baramati region. I express my condolences to the entire Pawar family," the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said.
Most of the MPs were in the national capital to attend the Budget Session of Parliament which begins today. NCP MP Praful Patel, Sharad Pawar's NCP MP Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar's son Parth Pawar and his wife Sunetra were leaving for Baramati.
According to DGCA, five people, including the crew, on board the chartered plane flying from Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Baramati died after a crash-landing at 8.45 am this morning. The crash landing of the Mumbai-Baramati charter plane occurred at the runway threshold in Baramati. Pawar was onboard along with two more personnel (one Personal Security Officer(PSO) and one attendant) and two crew members. Further details about the crash are awaited.
Pawar was headed to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad Elections. Pawar was in Mumbai on Tuesday, where he attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and other officials were also present.