‘Numb and at a loss for words’: Devendra Fadnavis on Ajit Pawar’s tragic death

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who died in a tragic charter plane crash near BaramatiIn an emotional message Fadnavis said Pawar was a mass leader with deep grassroots connect and described his death as a personal and irreparable loss ldquoThe news has left me deeply distressed I am numb and at a loss for wordsrdquo the Chief Minister said adding that the day marked an extremely difficult moment for the state hellipmdash Devendra Fadnavis Dev_Fadnavis January 28 2026Fadnavis noted that he had lost a strong and largehearted friend and colleague underscoring the impact of Pawarrsquos passing on Maharashtrarsquos political and public life He paid heartfelt tributes to the late leader and extended solidarity with Ajit Pawarrsquos family as well as the Nationalist Congress PartyThe Chief Minister also expressed condolences to the families of four other people who lost their lives in the accident stating that the state shares in their griefFollowing the tragedy Fadnavis announced the cancellation of all his scheduled programmes and said he would be leaving for Baramati shortlyEknath Shinde says aircraft accident will be probedMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the death of his fellow Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who died in a plane crash while an aircraft was landing near Baramati Shinde said the tragic aircraft accident that claimed Pawarrsquos life would be thoroughly probedSpeaking to reporters before leaving for Baramati Shinde described the incident as deeply painful and unfortunate for the state It is a very painful incidenthellip very sad and unfortunate for Maharashtra The aircraft accident will be probed he said adding that Pawarrsquos death was both a personal loss and a major blow to the statersquos political and administrative leadershipToday I feel as though I have lost my elder brother Ajit Pawar was not just a leader he was a knowledgeable personality who valued time and had a strong grip over administration Shinde said visibly emotionalThe tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom across Maharashtra with tributes pouring in from political social and administrative circles Shinde said he immediately decided to travel to Baramati after receiving the news of the crashRecalling their long association Shinde lauded Pawarrsquos contribution to public life noting that they had served together in different cabinets He also recalled that Pawar was his deputy when he headed the Maharashtra government between 2022 and 2024 We worked together for many years He would begin work at the crack of dawnmdashI have personally seen him issuing instructions as early as six in the morning He spoke only after thoroughly studying every issue Though blunt by nature at heart he was extremely pure Shinde saidHe added that Pawars role during cabinet discussions especially on the statersquos financial condition was marked by realism and clarity He always presented the ground reality and suggested the right course His experience depth of study and command over administration were guiding lights for all of us Shinde notedThe Deputy Chief Minister said he had met Pawar just a day or two earlier at a programme making the loss even more difficult to accept This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state I am feeling as if I have lost my elder brother he said paying heartfelt tributes