Baramati Bids Emotional Farewell to Ajit Pawar with Full State Honours; Leaders Across Parties Attend Last Rites
Baramati, 29th January 2026: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was cremated with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in his hometown of Baramati on Thursday, as thousands of mourners and prominent leaders from across the political spectrum gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran leader who died in a tragic plane crash.
His mortal remains were first kept at Vidya Pratishthan for public homage before being taken to his residence in Katewadi. The funeral procession later returned to the cremation ground, with an overwhelming crowd lining the route. Emotional supporters raised slogans and struggled to hold back tears as they bid farewell to a leader widely regarded as deeply connected to grassroots workers.
Pawar’s sons, Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar, lit the funeral pyre in the presence of family members, senior politicians, and dignitaries. A ceremonial police guard of honour was accorded as part of the state funeral protocol.
Several national and state leaders attended the last rites, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Leaders from multiple political parties, along with representatives from social, cultural, and business sectors, were also present. Actor Riteish Deshmukh was among those who paid their respects.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar to convey his condolences. President Droupadi Murmu, Priyanka Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, and several other leaders also expressed grief over the sudden loss. Tributes poured in from across the country, remembering Pawar as a decisive administrator and a mass leader with deep insight into Maharashtra’s rural and urban issues.
Pawar, 66, lost his life on Wednesday morning when the chartered aircraft carrying him from Mumbai crashed while attempting to land in Baramati. He had been travelling to campaign for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. Investigators have since recovered the aircraft’s black box as part of the ongoing probe.
Known for his direct style and firm administrative approach, Ajit Pawar played a prominent role in Maharashtra politics for decades. He was widely regarded as a pragmatic leader who balanced political strategy with development-driven governance. His sudden death has left a significant void in the state’s political landscape.
