Former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar was cremated with full state honours in Baramati on Thursday, bringing a somber close to a chapter that shaped Maharashtra’s political landscape for decades.
Thousands of supporters, party workers, and political leaders from across party lines gathered to pay their last respects as the final rites were performed amid heavy security and official protocol. Pawar’s mortal remains, draped in the national flag, were brought in a procession from his native village of Katewadi to Baramati, his political stronghold and home turf.
The cremation rituals were performed by Pawar’s sons, Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar, who lit the funeral pyre in an atmosphere marked by grief and silence. Family members, close aides, and long-time associates stood alongside them as chants of remembrance echoed through the gathered crowd.
The Maharashtra government accorded full state honours to the late leader. A ceremonial guard of honour was presented by the state police, while senior officials coordinated the proceedings as the cortege passed through key areas of the town. Flags were flown at half-mast at several government buildings as a mark of respect.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was among the senior national leaders who attended the funeral, paying tribute to Pawar’s long public service. Several chief ministers, cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs and leaders from both the ruling alliance and the opposition were present, underlining Pawar’s wide political influence beyond party boundaries.
Ajit Pawar’s passing earlier this week sent shockwaves through the political establishment. The 66-year-old leader was involved in a tragic aviation accident near the Baramati airstrip, located around 100 kilometres from Pune. The chartered Learjet aircraft he was travelling in encountered difficulties during approach and went down shortly thereafter. All occupants onboard were lost in the incident.
Along with Pawar, the aircraft carried two pilots, a flight attendant and his personal security officer. Emergency services rushed to the site following the crash, and a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is currently underway.
Known for his firm administrative grip, sharp political instincts and deep grassroots connect, Ajit Pawar remained a central figure in Maharashtra politics for over three decades. His influence was particularly strong in western Maharashtra, where cooperative institutions, irrigation projects and local governance bore the imprint of his leadership.
Baramati, which Pawar represented for multiple terms, witnessed scenes of collective mourning as people from nearby villages and districts arrived in large numbers. Many described him as a decisive administrator who was accessible to the public and deeply invested in regional development.
As the funeral concluded, leaders across party lines reiterated calls for a thorough probe into the crash, while supporters remembered Pawar not just as a politician, but as a mass leader whose absence will leave a lasting void in state politics.
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