Maharashtra declares state holiday, three-day mourning after Ajit Pawar’s demise
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared a state holiday on Wednesday and three days of state mourning following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier in the day.
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Fadnavis informed that a decision on Pawar’s last rites will be taken after consultation with his family. “Today we have declared a state holiday, and three days of state mourning have also been announced. This is a completely irreparable loss for the whole state of Maharashtra,” he said.
The Chief Minister said a “wave of sorrow” has spread across the state after the news of Pawar’s death. Calling Pawar a hardworking leader, Fadnavis described the incident as a personal loss. “Ajit Dada was a hardworking leader and did not shake in any circumstances. It is a difficult day for Maharashtra. It takes time to develop such leadership. He made major contribution to Maharashtra’s development. His demise is shocking, and for me, it’s a personal loss; a friend has left me,” he added.
Fadnavis also stated that he and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will leave for Baramati. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to him and expressed their condolences. “His last rites will be finalised after a discussion with the family. I have spoken to Supriya Tai (Supriya Sule) and Parth Pawar,” he said.
A large crowd gathered outside the Baramati hospital where Pawar’s mortal remains were taken. NCP working president Praful Patel, NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule, along with Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and son Parth Pawar travelled to Baramati from New Delhi.
Pawar, 66, nephew of NCP founder Sharad Pawar and cousin of MP Supriya Sule, was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He held the position six times in non-consecutive terms across different governments, serving in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.
He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.
