The mortal remains of Ajit Pawar are being taken to the Vidya Pratishthan grounds, where they will be kept for public viewing. Supporters and well-wishers have gathered in large numbers in Baramati to pay their final respects to the leader popularly known as “Ajit Dada”.
Image | Pune: People gather to pay their last respects to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed after an aircraft carrying him crashed, at Baramati, in Pune, Maharashtra, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (PTI Photo)
Dignitaries Expected to Attend
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to attend the funeral. Several senior leaders from across political parties are also expected to be present, the NCP said.
State Mourning Announced
The Maharashtra government has announced a three-day State mourning as a mark of respect. The National Flag will fly at half-mast on all government buildings across the state, and all state-sponsored events and entertainment programmes have been cancelled. A public holiday was declared on Wednesday, January 28.
Plane Crash Details
Ajit Pawar, 66, died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning while travelling to his home constituency, Baramati, for election-related events ahead of the Zilla Parishad polls.
The twin-engine Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) took off from Mumbai shortly after 8 am. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft attempted to land at Baramati around 8:45 am. After multiple landing attempts, the plane crash-landed near the runway and caught fire.
Image | Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s plane in flames after it crashed during landing, at Baramati in Pune district, Maharashtra, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Pawar, along with three others on board, was killed in the crash. (PTI Photo)
Others Killed in the Crash
Besides Ajit Pawar, four others lost their lives in the accident: His personal security officer, an attendant, the pilot in command, and the first officer.
Legacy
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and their two sons, Parth and Jay. Ajit Pawar served as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister for a record six terms. His death has led to an outpouring of grief from political leaders, party workers, and supporters across the state.
(Edited by : Priyanka Deshpande)
