Mumbai (Maharashtra): The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a tragic plane crash, will be performed with full state honours on Thursday in Baramati, Pune district.
According to the Nationalist Congress Party, the funeral will take place at the Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 am. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend the ceremony, along with senior leaders from across the political spectrum.
Ajit Pawar lost his life after the aircraft he was travelling in crashed shortly after taking off from Mumbai on Wednesday morning. Four others were also killed in the incident, including Pawar’s personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members — the pilot-in-command and the first officer.
Following the tragedy, the Maharashtra government declared a public holiday on Wednesday and announced three days of state mourning as a mark of respect to the veteran leader.
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and his two sons, Parth and Jay. The news of his sudden demise has triggered an outpouring of grief across Maharashtra, with political leaders and citizens remembering his long association with the state’s public life.
