The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Wednesday morning honoured the memory of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Baramati, Pune district, along with five others.
The Assembly observed a moment of silence as a mark of respect for the late Deputy CM. A.N. Shamseer, Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, addressed the house, expressing deep sorrow over the sudden demise of the senior politician and urging legislators to pay their tributes to his public service and leadership.
The plane carrying Ajit Pawar, along with his personal staff and flight crew, was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati for a public rally linked to the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft crash-landed at around 8:45 am, leaving no survivors.
News of the incident triggered widespread condolences across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to receive updates on the crash. The Prime Minister also posted on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Pawar’s connection with grassroots communities and his dedication to public service. In his post, PM Modi described Pawar as a “people’s leader” with “profound knowledge of administrative matters” and noted his “passion for empowering the poor and the deprived.”
Leaders from other states, including Telangana and Jammu & Kashmir, joined in mourning, describing Pawar as a towering figure in Maharashtra politics. The Kerala Assembly’s tribute underscores the respect he commanded beyond his home state, highlighting his reputation as a senior political leader known for effective governance and public engagement.
On Tuesday, Pawar had attended a Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure meeting in Mumbai, chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis, alongside ministers including Chandrashekhar Bawankule. The crash came a day later as he travelled to his Baramati constituency to address supporters, abruptly ending the life of one of Maharashtra’s most experienced politicians.
