Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed deep condolences Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar dies suddenly in plane crash And declared three-day state mourning on 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 live updates on January 28, 2026
“Today is a very difficult day for Maharashtra. For me, personally, I have lost a strong friend today. Eknath Shinde and I will leave for Baramati. I have spoken to the PM (Modi). He has expressed grief. The entire nation is mourning this loss. I have spoken to Supriya Sule, Parth Pawar. Once the family reaches Baramati, further decisions will be taken,” Mr Fadnavis said while addressing the press.
“Today we have declared a state holiday and three days of state mourning have also been announced. This is a completely irreparable loss for the entire state of Maharashtra,” the Chief Minister said.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died when a plane crashed in Pune district on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) morning, officials said. The incident occurred when the plane carrying NCP leader Pawar (66) and others was trying to land in Pune’s Baramati area.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also condoled the demise of former MP and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar’s demise: President Murmu, PM Modi and other leaders expressed grief
Deep loss for Maharashtra: Deputy Chief Minister Shinde
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) expressed grief over the demise of co-Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died when the charter plane carrying him crashed in Baramati.
He further said that the accident will be investigated. “We will get it investigated so that such incidents do not happen again in future.” Referring to the late NCP leader as “Ajit da”, Mr Shinde reminded that it was a matter of deep sorrow and a “deep loss for Maharashtra”.
“He and I were working as a team for the progress of Maharashtra and now with his demise I am no longer a part of the team 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 strength to overcome this hour of grief. Ajit Pawar’s demise is a big loss for the state, a dark day for the state. This incident is a cause of great sorrow for everyone. Our colleague Ajit Pawar grandfather died in a plane crash.”
“He was a clear communicator, articulate and hard-working. He was a straightforward and committed leader. Let me see, let me think…these words did not exist in his dictionary. He did not wait for anything, whatever he wanted to do he did immediately and did not hesitate in saying no to projects and plans. Though he appeared to be a tough person, he was a good-hearted person. I have personally experienced this” said Mr Shinde.
The Shiv Sena leader said that “Ajit Pawar was a person who valued time and there were instances where he gave appointments to people even before 6 am. He was a studious, courageous and disciplined leader.” Ajit Pawar was also the Finance and Planning Minister of Maharashtra and had previously presented the budget of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Governor said, I am very sad
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat said that he is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar.
Mr Devvrat said, “I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. May God rest the soul of late Shri Ajit Pawar and give strength to the Pawar family, colleagues and countless supporters to bear this tragic loss.”
Extremely shocking and unfortunate: Nitin Gadkari
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that Ajit Pawar’s demise is extremely shocking and unfortunate.
“Received the news of the sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar Yes Very shocking, unfortunate and heartbreaking. My heartfelt tribute to him. Over the years, I had an extremely close relationship with Ajit, while working together in the State Legislature Dada. His administrative skills, developmental vision and innate ability to connect with people have ensured that Ajit Dada Always holds an invincible position in the politics of Maharashtra. The untimely demise of this public leader who aspired for the development of Maharashtra is an irreparable loss not only for Maharashtra but for the entire country. My condolences are with the entire Pawar family on this sad occasion. May God grant peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Lost a determined leader: Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray condoled Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash and said even though the NCP chief chose a different path in politics, he did not let it affect their relationship.
In a post on Twitter, the former chief minister said that in Pawar’s demise they have lost a steadfast leader and an excellent former cabinet colleague.
As Finance Minister, Pawar was a highly disciplined leader with a strong hold on his department, he said. Ajit Pawar served as the Deputy CM in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government from 2019 to 2022.
“We developed a special bond as colleagues. Ajit Pawar was open-hearted. He spoke his mind. He was not a person who held 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 condoled the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and described it as a “black day” for the state.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Mr Raut recalled the works of Ajit Pawar and lauded his grip on the administration. He said that Pawar was known as a minister who came fully prepared to cabinet meetings.
Mr Raut said, “Today is a dark day for Maharashtra. When I heard the news that the plane with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had crashed, I was hopeful that he would be fine. But then I got the painful news. His demise has brought a mountain of grief to Maharashtra. His way of speaking and working and his hold on the administration…”
“He had a connection with Baramati. He was also a minister in Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet. He was known as a minister who would come 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 expresses condolences and pays tribute,” the Sena (UBT) leader said.
Extremely heartbreaking and shocking: MPCC President
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Vasantrao Sapkal said that the sudden demise of the Deputy CM is extremely heart-wrenching and shocking.
“The news of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Dada Pawar’s demise in a plane crash is extremely heartbreaking and shocking. He played an important role in the development of the state of Maharashtra. My heartfelt tribute to him. I express my condolences to the Pawar family; may they have the strength to bear this loss – this is my prayer!” He said in a tweet.
Extremely heartbreaking: Nana Patole
Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole said that Ajit Pawar’s demise has created a void in Maharashtra politics.
“Received the news of demise of Honorable Ajit, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Maharashtra. Dada Pawar’s demise in a plane crash is extremely heartbreaking. Through his hardworking leadership style, Ajit Dada Left an indelible mark on the politics of the state. This personality, famous for taking quick decisions and deep connection with the common people, has now passed behind the curtain of time. Ajit’s demise Dada Pawar has created a void in the state’s politics that can never be filled. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace – this is our prayer at the feet of the Lord. We share in the grief of the Pawar family. Hearty tribute to Ajitdada Pawar!” Mr Patole said in a tweet.
Truly shocking: Aditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray described Pawar’s death as shocking. “Words fail me,” he said, adding that he had the opportunity to work with Ajit Pawar for five-six years, first in the government and then in the opposition.
“The news of Ajit Dada is really shocking! I am at a loss for words. 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 strong hold on legislative matters and his affectionate nature won the hearts of many people like me. I had said this many times in public even when I was in the opposition. Today’s news is really shocking. My humble tribute to Ajit Dada And his colleague in the accident,” Mr Thackeray said.
A fearless leader: Minister Sanjay Shirsat
Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat expressed deep shock and grief over the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, saying it was difficult to believe the loss as Pawar had attended the cabinet meeting just a day earlier.
Remembering him as a fearless and outspoken leader popularly known as ‘Dada’ in state politics, Shirsat said party workers and the people of Maharashtra are deeply saddened by his untimely demise. “We still cannot believe that Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar is no longer 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 expressed his views clearly in public. Party workers and the people of Maharashtra are in extreme grief and pain over his sudden demise,” Mr Shirsat said.
(with inputs from agencies)
