Continue on TOI App
Open App
Login for better experience!
Login Now
Welcome! to timesofindia.com
TOI+
Read ePaper
Live Now

Ajit Pawar Funeral Highlights: Baramati bids farewell to Ajit ‘Dada’ with full state honours; thousands pay last respects

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live Updates: The mortal remains of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar will be taken out today fo...

The Times of India | Jan 29, 2026, 15:12:43 IST

Tired of too many ads?go ad free now
15:12 (IST), Jan, 29

'Ajit dada amar rahe': Ajit Pawar laid to rest with state honours in Baramati

The last rites of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar were performed with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, drawing dignitaries and widespread public mourning. Pawar’s sons lit the funeral pyre in accordance with final rites, while a tricolour-draped representation of his service underscored his decades-long role in state politics. Leading figures including Union home minister Amit Shah, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar attended the ceremony to pay their respects, alongside actor Riteish Deshmukh and other political leaders, reflecting the breadth of grief across political lines.

A large crowd of supporters, chanting tributes such as “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe,” gathered at the ground to bid farewell to the influential NCP leader, whose sudden death in a plane crash earlier this week sent shockwaves through the state. His wife Sunetra Pawar and family members, including nephew Rohit Pawar, were present throughout the ceremony, joined by senior leaders such as Sushil Kumar Shinde and his daughter Praniti Shinde. The outpouring of emotion highlighted Pawar’s deep connection with both his grassroots base and political colleagues, marking a somber moment in Maharashtra’s public life.

15:08 (IST), Jan, 29

'Mamata should read Sharad Pawar's statement and learn something in politics': Himanta on Ajit Pawa's death remark

"I have also seen the statement of Sharad Pawar. He has said that it is not appropriate to mislead over such an accident. Mamata Banerjee should read the statement of Sharad Pawar and learn something in politics," he said.

13:38 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Nation bids farewell to Ajit Pawar as last rites performed in Baramati

The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar were performed with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, where his sons lit the funeral pyre and carried out the final rituals.

Several senior leaders and dignitaries, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, and actor Riteish Deshmukh, attended the funeral and paid their respects.

A large crowd gathered at the Vidya Pratishthan ground to bid a final farewell to the Nationalist Congress Party leader, reflecting the deep public grief following his demise. Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar was accorded full state honours as his mortal remains were taken to the venue for the last rites.

Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and his sons, Party and Jay, were present during the ceremony. Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde and his daughter, Praniti Shinde, also attended the funeral.

As the mortal remains were brought to the ground, supporters raised slogans of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe.” His son Jay Pawar, nephew Rohit Pawar, and other family members were also present on the occasion.

12:48 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: Ajit Pawar’s sudden death clouds prospects of NCP factions’ merger in Maharashtra

The sudden death of NCP chief Ajit Pawar has complicated the prospects of a merger between the two NCP factions, which had seemed imminent following the February 5 Zilla Parishad elections in Maharashtra. While members of both factions are united in grief, the political dynamics in the state—where the two NCP groups occupy rival camps—make it difficult to reach a consensus on reunification in the absence of the leader who had been the driving force behind the merger.

The 2023 split in the party had divided the Pawar family, but Wednesday’s tragedy brought them together in mourning. However, the question of an NCP merger now hinges on the political stance the members choose to adopt—whether to continue with the Mahayuti alliance as partners of the BJP in the state or align with Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) as part of the MVA.

12:44 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Ajit Pawar's elder son, Parth, performs his last rites at Vidya Pratishthan ground

12:12 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Ajit Pawar's sons perform his last rites

12:10 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Actor Riteish Deshmukh attends last rites of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar

11:34 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Family members pay last respects to Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Tired of too many ads?go ad free now
11:02 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: Civil aviation ministry issues statement in the AAIB probe

The civil aviation ministry, in a statement regarding the AAIB probe for the crash of Ajit Pawar's plane, said:

"Following the unfortunate aircraft accident near Baramati, all requisite response and investigative mechanisms were activated immediately. Ensuring a thorough, transparent, and time-bound inquiry remains a top priority. A team of three officers from AAIB, Delhi, and another team of three officers from the DGCA, Mumbai Regional Office, reached the crash site on 28 January. The Director General, AAIB, also arrived at the site the same day. The investigation is progressing expeditiously, and the black box of the ill-fated aircraft has been recovered.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) remains fully committed to completing the investigation within a defined timeframe, strictly in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and laid-down guidelines. The investigation has been initiated in accordance with Rules 5 and 11 of the AAIB Rules, 2025."

10:59 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Amit Shah and Nitin Nabin reach Baramati to attend Ajit Pawar's funeral

Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP chief Nitin Nabin landed in Baramati to attend the funeral and pay their respects to Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. The final rites are scheduled for 11:00 am at Vidya Pratishthan. The state government has also instructed the national flag to be hosted half-mast during the three-day mourning period.

10:42 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: Voice and flight data recorders retrieved from crash site

Officials investigating the aircraft crash that killed Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar and five others have recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the accident site, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) confirmed.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) investigators and forensic teams reached the crash location earlier today to begin detailed examination.

The Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at the Baramati Taluka Police Station in connection with the crash and have started further investigative procedures.

“Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at Baramati Taluka Police Station regarding the air crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar lost his life. Further investigations have been initiated,” a Pune police official said.

10:33 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: NCP leader Praful Patel arrives to pay last respects to Ajit Pawar

NCP leader Praful Patel and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal arrived at Vidya Pratishthan ground to attend the funeral of deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

10:29 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Nitin Gadkari and Raj Thackeray arrive for Ajit Pawar’s last rites at Vidya Pratishthan

Union minister Nitin Gadkari and MNS chief Raj Thackeray arrived at Vidya Pratishthan ground to attend the last rites of Ajit Pawar.

10:25 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: 'Ajit Dada Parat Ya'—Katewadi mourns loss of deputy CM Ajit Pawar

A wave of grief swept through Katewadi village near Baramati as hundreds of mourners gathered at the residence of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar to bid farewell to the leader who died in a tragic plane crash.

Residents from Katewadi and surrounding villages in Pune district, along with Nationalist Congress Party workers, assembled outside his home, chanting emotional slogans such as “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” and “Ajit Dada Parat Ya” (Ajit Dada, please come back).

Many mourners spoke of Pawar’s lasting contribution to the region, with several saying that leaders like him come “once in a lifetime,” crediting him for the area’s development and progress.

Ajit Pawar (66) was killed on Wednesday morning when a chartered Learjet crashed near the Baramati airstrip, about 100 kilometres from Pune. The accident also claimed the lives of two pilots, a flight attendant, and his personal security officer.

10:21 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains taken to Vidya Pratishthan; people line streets to pay last respects

10:06 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Full state honours for Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar was accorded full state honours. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, along with their sons Parth and Jay, were present to pay their respects.

Tired of too many ads?go ad free now
09:59 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: Accidental death report filed followed Ajit Pawar's fatal plane crash

Maharashtra’s Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at Baramati Taluka Police Station in connection with the plane crash that claimed the life of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Further investigation has been initiated, a Pune Rural Police official said, as quoted by ANI.

09:35 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: NCP chief Sharad Pawar arrives for last rites of nephew Ajit Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar arrives at present at Vidya Pratishthan ground for the last rites of his nephew and Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar.


Funeral preparations are underway at Vidya Pratishthan ground for the NCP leader, who tragically died in a plane crash on the morning of January 28. Supporters of the Deputy CM gathered outside Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College to pay their final respects as his mortal remains were taken out. The funeral procession for Maharashtra’s longest-serving deputy CM (non-consecutively) will begin from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima) at 9am, pass through the city to allow the public to pay homage, and culminate at Vidya Pratishthan ground, where the funeral is scheduled for 11am.

09:25 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: PSO of Ajit Pawar, Vidip Jadhav, laid to rest in Satara; son performs last rites

The last rites of Vidip Dilip Jadhav, personal security officer (PSO) of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar, were performed in his native village in Satara last night, with his young son carrying out the rituals. Jadhav was among the five people who tragically died when the charter plane he was traveling in crash-landed in Baramati yesterday.

09:07 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Massive crowd gathers for Ajit Pawar’s last rites; CRPF and police deployed for security

CRPF and police have been deployed at Vidya Pratishthan ground to manage the massive crowd gathered ahead of Ajit Pawar’s last rites. The deputy CM passed away yesterday when the aircraft he was traveling in crashed in Baramati, killing all on board.

08:50 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: DGCA and forensics team at crash site

Officials from the DGCA and forensic teams are on site after a charter plane crash yesterday that killed all five people on board, including deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

08:13 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar's mortal remains brought to his Katewadi home ahead of last rites

08:10 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Supriya Sule, Rohit Pawar reach Katewadi home of Ajit Pawar

07:49 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Mortal remains of NCP chief Ajit Pawar taken from medical college

The mortal remains of NCP chief and Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar are being taken from Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College in Baramati.

07:45 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Funeral preparations for Ajit Pawar under way in Baramati

07:44 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: Postmortems of Baramati plane crash crew completed, bodies handed over to families

The postmortem examinations of pilot Captain Sumit Kapoor, co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali—who lost their lives in the Baramati plane crash—have been completed, and their mortal remains have been handed over to their families.

The postmortems were conducted at the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College in Baramati, after which the bodies were released to the respective families for last rites.

07:44 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Funeral Live: Last rites at Vidya Pratishtan in Baramati at 11 am

The mortal remains of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar will be taken out today for his Antim Yatra in a flower-decorated rath bearing his image and the message “Swargiya Ajitdada Pawar amar rahein” (Long live Ajit Dada Pawar).

The procession will begin at 9 am from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima), pass through Baramati to allow the public to pay their respects, and conclude at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground, where the funeral will be held at 11 am. Large crowds of party workers and supporters gathered outside Ahilyabai Holkar Hospital, where Pawar’s mortal remains were kept earlier.

07:44 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live Updates: Uddhav, Aaditya Thackeray visit Ajit Pawar’s Baramati residence to offer condolences

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, along with party leader and son Aaditya Thackeray, visited the Baramati residence of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar to offer condolences to his family after his demise.

07:44 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: 8.44am; clock runs out, doors lock, Baramati stops for Ajit's final date

The clock froze at 8.44am. Ajit Pawar, a stickler for time, ran out of it while keeping a final date with his hometown. News of the plane crash spread in fragments, then hardened into truth. Grown men wept at chowks. Shutters fell. Sugarcane fields stood still under blue skies as a taluka that calls itself a city slid into mourning.

07:43 (IST), Jan, 29

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live updates: Long innings ends with dream unfulfilled

Ajit Pawar was among the rare netas who draw deep respect and are slightly feared by the people. They may not be adored easily and automatically, but once they are, they make their place in people's esteem. To be sure, Ajit Pawar's career was shadowed by controversy, but he possessed the political smarts to slip through every net and reclaim his seat at the table, irrespective of the ballot box outcomes, high or low.

Read full story

The mortal remains of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar were brought to his residence in Katewadi ahead of his last rites. Funeral preparations are underway at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati for the NCP leader, who tragically died in a plane crash on the morning of January 28.

Supporters of the Deputy CM gathered outside Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College to pay their final respects as his mortal remains were taken out. The funeral procession for Maharashtra’s longest-serving deputy CM (non-consecutively) will begin from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima) at 9 AM, pass through the city to allow the public to pay homage, and culminate at Vidya Pratishthan ground, where the funeral is scheduled for 11 AM.

Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains will be carried in a decorated chariot for his ‘Antim Yatra.’ The rath is adorned with flowers and features his image, along with a board reading, “Swargiya Ajitdada Pawar amar rahein” (Long live Ajit Dada Pawar).

Ajit ‘Dada’ Pawar, born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Rahuri taluka, Ahmednagar district, had a long and distinguished political career. He passed away while traveling to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections.

Known affectionately as “Ajit Dada,” Pawar was recognized for his tireless work on behalf of the people of Maharashtra and his ability to stay connected to the grassroots. In addition to his political contributions, he oversaw several cooperative organisations, including milk unions, sugar factories, and their federations, leaving a lasting impact on the state’s administration and cooperative sector.

TOP TRENDS

Copyright © 2026 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service