Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep condolences over the sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash and announced three days of state mourning over his death.
Mr. Fadnavis said there was a “wave of grief” across Maharashtra and remembered Pawar as a hard-working leader and noted his contribution to the state.
Ajit Pawar plane crash update LIVE 28 Jan 2026
“Today is a very difficult day for Maharashtra. For me personally, today I lost a strong friend. Eknath Shinde and I will leave for Baramati. I spoke to the Prime Minister (Modi). He expressed grief. The entire country is mourning this loss. I have spoken to Supriya Sule, Parth Pawar. Once the family approaches Mr. Fadamati, further decisions will be taken.
The Chief Minister said, “Today we have declared a national holiday and three days of state mourning have also been declared. This is a completely irreparable loss to the entire state of Maharashtra.”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other people were killed after a plane carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday (Jan 28, 2026) morning, officials said. The incident occurred when a plane carrying NCP leader Pawar (66) and others was trying to land in Pune’s Baramati area.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also mourned the demise of former Member of Parliament and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar death: President Murmu, PM Modi and other leaders offer condolences
Deep loss for Maharashtra: Dy CM Shinde
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Éknáth Shindé on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) expressed grief over the death of Co-Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died after a chartered plane carrying him crashed in Baramati.
He further stated that he would investigate the accident. “We will conduct an investigation to prevent similar incidents from happening again in the future.” Referring to the late NCP leader as “Ajit da”, Mr Shinde recalled that it was a matter of deep sorrow and a “deep loss for Maharashtra”.
“He and I worked as a team for the progress of Maharashtra and now with his death, part of the team is no more and my elder brother is also gone,” Mr Shinde told reporters in Mumbai.
The Shiv Sena leader said, “I pray that his family gets the courage to overcome this moment of grief. Ajit Pawar’s demise is a great loss for the state, a black day for the state. This incident is a cause of great pain for everyone. Our sahyogyi Ajit Pawar Dadaji died in a plane crash,” he said.
“He was a clear communicator, articulate and hardworking. He was straightforward and a dedicated leader. Look, let me think…those words did not exist in his vocabulary. He waited for nothing, whatever he wanted to do, he did it immediately and did not hesitate to say no to projects and schemes. Although he appeared to be a strict person, he said he was a man of good heart.” I personally experienced Mr. Shin.
A Shiv Sena leader said that “Ajit Pawar was a man who valued time and there were instances when he would give people appointments as early as 6 am, he was a diligent, courageous and disciplined leader. Ajit Pawar was also the finance and planning minister of Maharashtra and had presented the Maharashtra budget in the past.”
Deeply saddened, says Maharashtra Governor
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat said he was deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar.
“I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. May God grant eternal peace to the departed soul of late Shri Ajit Pawar and give strength to Pawar’s family, colleagues and countless supporters to bear this tragic loss,” Mr. Devvrat said.
Extremely shocking and unfortunate: Nitin Gadkari
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the death of Ajit Pawar is extremely shocking and unfortunate.
“The news of the sudden demise of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Ajit Pawar ji is extremely shocking, unfortunate and heartbreaking. I offer my sincere condolences to him. I shared an extremely close bond with Ajit dada during the last many years of working together in the state legislature. His administrative acumen, developmental vision, always bringing people together with innate ability and innate ability Untimely demise of the leader of this of a people who harbored aspirations for the development of Maharashtra is not only a loss to Maharashtra but an irreplaceable loss to the entire nation.
He lost a steadfast leader: Uddhav Thackeray
Condoling the death of Ajit Pawar in the plane crash, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that even though the NCP chief chose a different path in politics, he did not let their relationship suffer.
In a post on X, the former chief minister said after Pawar’s death that he had lost a steadfast leader and an outstanding former cabinet colleague.
As finance minister, Pawar was an extremely disciplined leader who kept a firm grip on his department, he said. Ajit Pawar served as Deputy CM in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government from 2019 to 2022.
“We developed a special bond as colleagues. Ajit Pawar was open. He spoke his mind. He was not one to hold grudges for long. Even though he chose a different path in politics, he did not let our relationship break,” Mr Thackeray said.
Black day for Maharashtra: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut mourned the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, calling it a “black day” for the state.
At a press conference in Mumbai, Mr. Raut recalled the work of Ajit Pawar and praised his firmness over the administration. He said Pawar was known as a minister who came to cabinet meetings fully prepared.
Mr. Raut said, “Today is a black day for Maharashtra. When I heard the news that the plane with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on board had crashed, I was hoping that he would come out safe. But then I got a painful news. His death has brought a mountain of grief to Maharashtra. His way of talking and working and holding the administration…”
“He had a relationship with Baramati. He was also a minister in Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet. He was known as a minister who came to the cabinet fully prepared. He had a deep study of important issues of the state like irrigation and water. On behalf of Shiv Sena (UBT), Uddhav Thackeray offers condolences,” Sena (T) added, paying tribute.
Extremely heartbreaking and shocking: MPCC president
Maharashtra Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Vasantrao Sapkal said the sudden death of the deputy CM was extremely heartbreaking and shocking.
“The news of the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Dada Pawar in a plane crash is extremely heartbreaking and shocking. He played an important role in the development of the state of Maharashtra. I pay my sincere respects to him. My condolences to the Pawar family; may they find the strength to bear this grief – that is my prayer!” he said in a tweet.
Extremely Heartbreaking: Nana Patole
Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole said that Ajit Pawar’s departure has created a void in Maharashtra state politics.
“The news of the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Hon. Ajit dada Pawar in a plane crash is extremely heartbreaking. With his diligent leadership style, Ajit dada left an indelible mark in state politics. This personality known for his quick decision making and deep connection with the common people has now gone beyond the curtain of Ajit and Pawar’s state politics. May the departed soul attain eternal peace – that is our prayer at feet of the Lord.We pay our respects to Ajitdad Pawar, said Mr. Patole in a tweet.
Truly shocking: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray termed Pawar’s death as shocking. “Words fail me,” he said, adding that he had the opportunity to work with Ajit Pawar for five to six years, first in the government and then in the opposition.
“Ajit dada’s news is really shocking! Words fail me. I had the opportunity to work with dada for 5-6 years…first in the government and then for a few days in the opposition. His commanding approach to legislative matters and his loving nature won over many people like me. Even when I was in the opposition, I have said this publicly many times. Today’s news and my humble colleagues are really shocking,” she praised him. said Mr. Thackeray.
Fearless Leader: Minister Sanjay Shirsat
Expressing deep shock and grief over the sudden death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra state minister Sanjay Shirsat said the loss was hard to believe as Pawar had attended a cabinet meeting just the day before.
Remembering him as a fearless and outspoken leader who is fondly known as ‘Dada’ in state politics, Shirsat said party workers and people of Maharashtra are in immense pain over his untimely death. “We still can’t believe that Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar is no more with us. We met him yesterday at the cabinet meeting… He was known as ‘Dada’ in Maharashtra politics because of his great personality. He was a fearless leader who spoke his thoughts clearly in public. Party workers and people of Maharashtra are in immense grief and pain over his sudden demise,” said Mr.
‘Huge vacuum in Maharashtra politics’: Leaders react to Ajit Pawar’s sudden death | Video Credit: The Hindu
Fadnavis on Ajit Pawar’s demise: A loss that cannot be fulfilled | Video Credit: The Hindu
(With input from agencies)
