Maharashtra Declares Mourning After Deputy Chief Minister's Fatal Plane Crash
The Indian state of Maharashtra has declared three days of official mourning following the tragic death of its deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar. The veteran politician was killed when his aircraft crashed and burst into flames during a failed landing attempt near Baramati on Wednesday.
Fatal Journey and Immediate Aftermath
Pawar was travelling back to campaign in his home constituency when the disaster occurred. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors from the flight, which also claimed the lives of two members of his staff and two crew members. Rescue operations were swiftly launched at the crash site, with images showing emergency services working amidst the wreckage.
State Funeral and National Tributes
On Thursday, thousands of grieving supporters filled the streets of Baramati for Pawar's funeral, where he was cremated with full state honours. Home Minister Amit Shah was among the expected attendees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, describing Pawar as a "leader of the people" and praising his hardworking dedication to serving Maharashtra.
A Political Career Spanning Decades
Ajit Pawar's political journey was both long and complex:
- He served as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister on six separate occasions under various coalition governments.
- Born into a political family, he joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founded by his uncle, Sharad Pawar, in 1980.
- Despite being seen as the natural heir to his uncle's political legacy, their differing styles created persistent tension.
Dramatic Political Upheaval and Recent Developments
Pawar's career was marked by a significant political rebellion in 2023 that reshaped Maharashtra's landscape:
- After a failed 2019 rebellion, he formed a faction within the NCP in 2023.
- He then broke away to join the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as they seized state power.
- This move splintered the NCP into two rival camps, with Pawar's faction taking the party name, symbol, and key leaders.
- Following the BJP-led alliance's victory in the 2024 state elections, Pawar was once again appointed deputy chief minister.
Uncertain Future and Power Vacuum
Pawar's sudden death has created a substantial power vacuum in Maharashtra politics. Recently, discussions had begun about potentially reuniting the two NCP factions. Now, critical questions remain unanswered:
- Who will succeed Ajit Pawar as both a political leader and deputy chief minister?
- Will the NCP factions now reunite in the wake of this tragedy?
- How will Maharashtra's political landscape stabilise after losing such an influential figure?
The coming weeks will be crucial as Maharashtra navigates both its grief and the complex political realignments necessitated by this unexpected loss.
