Ajit Pawar Funeral Highlights: Probe being conducted on timeline-based approach, says Union Minister

When asked about West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee calling for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge backed her demand.

"Everyone, all leaders, keep travelling for urgent work. But in so many instances, we saw in Ahmedabad how a big plane crashed. This was a small plane; why did this happen? It should be probed. We also demand a probe," Kharge said.

Earlier, NCP chief and Ajit's uncle, Sharad Pawar, said, “Some people are trying to give a political colour to the incident. There is no politics involved. it is purely an accident. It has caused immense grief to me and to the entire state of Maharashtra. I appeal to everyone not to politicise this tragedy."

The pilot apparently could not see the runway and carried out a "missed approach," a standardised procedure in such cases, said V K Singh, owner of Delhi-based VSR Ventures, which operated the aircraft that crashed on Wednesday, killing Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others on board.

The Learjet 45 aircraft, one in a fleet of seventeen, had its last DGCA regulatory audit done in February 2025, according to a press release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Family, long-time friends and Nationalist Congress Party's regional satraps, each with different claims, are likely to jostle for control over the party after Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar's untimely death. The party was in discussion over a possible merger with his uncle Sharad Pawar’s faction.

The key contenders are his wife Sunetra Pawar, son Parth Pawar, and leaders like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare.

Outliers like Dhananjay Munde - owing to his popular appeal - and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal are also likely contenders.

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Visuals: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's mortal remains is being brought to Vidya Pratishthan Campus. It is likely to be kept there till 12 am.

Visuals: Leaders and family members of Ajit Pawar at Vidya Prathishthan to pay their tributes to the Deputy CM.

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil. (Express Photo)

Maharashtra was shaken by the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati. The tragedy revived memories of earlier incidents and brought into focus the safety of chartered aircraft used by political leaders.

On May 25, 2017, CM Devendra Fadnavis survived a helicopter crash landing near Latur. Only days earlier, another helicopter used by the chief minister developed a technical problem in Maoist affected Gadchiroli, forcing him to abandon the flight and travel by road.

On October 2, 2024, a helicopter meant to ferry NCP Rajya Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare crashed soon after take off near Pune. Tatkare was not on board at the time and escaped unharmed.

On May 4, 2024, a Bell 407 helicopter that had arrived in Mahad in Raigad district to pick up Shiv Sena UBT leader Sushma Andhare crashed while landing at a temporary helipad.

On January 2, 2025, when a helicopter scheduled to fly NCP Sharad Pawar faction chief Sharad Pawar and state party president Jayant Patil failed twice to take off from a temporary helipad in Chiplun in the Konkan region.

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Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar’s death in the plane crash on Wednesday throws into uncertainty any efforts to merge the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and his uncle Sharad Pawar’s faction.

The parties contested the recent municipal corporation elections together in Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Pawar’s death may potentially lead to a reconfiguration in Maharashtra politics.

From Sanjay Gandhi to YSR, here is a list of political deaths in crashes and how they reshaped politics.

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At the NCP's Delhi office on 79, North Avenue, several party activists recalled Ajit Pawar’s last visit five months ago.

“We had discussed his plans for the party in Delhi and the municipal elections. He had grand plans for expansion of the party in the national capital,” says the party's national general secretary and chief spokesperson Brijmohan Shrivastav.

“We have lost our guardian. I remember once I went ahead to touch his feet, and he told me not to. Instead, he hugged me. He said I was like his brother and that brothers should hug,” says Virendra Singh, the Delhi NCP chief.

“He always spoke about strengthening the party nationally, and said that we should always serve the people wherever we work,” says Singh, recalling a phone call with Ajit at midnight. (Asad Rehman reports)

After the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Mahayuti ally and CM Devendra Fadnavis addresses the media in Mumbai, where he expressed condolences as party leaders were present. (Express Photos/Akash Patil)

The Baramati airport, where Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's plane crashed, is a regional airstrip used primarily for pilot training and private plane operations.

It does not have navigational aids to help pilots operate during low visibility.

So, pilots have to rely greatly on sight — to not only land, but to also avoid other aircraft. They use radio communication to operate at such airports.

This is a key detail because the flight operator, VSR, has cited possible visibility issues in landing.

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Visuals: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers mourn the death of party leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar at the party office in Mumbai. (Express Photo/Ganesh Shirsekar)

Last rites of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar to be held at 11 am on Thursday. It will take place at Vidhya Pratishthan ground in Baramati. PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the funeral.

Visuals: As the pratishthan preparations are underway for the funeral tomorrow, huge crowds throng the area seeking a glimpse of the Dy CM Ajit Pawar's mortal remains. (Express Photo/Sunanda Mehta)

Last photo of Ajit Pawar and his bodyguard Vidit Jadhav that was sent by Jadhav to his wife. (Express Photo)

RSS Maharashtra chief Suresh (Nana) Jadhav said: "The accidental demise of Maharashtra’s resilient leader, Deputy Chief Minister Ajitdada Pawar, is deeply shocking. This is a monumental loss to the political and social landscape of the state. We have lost a straightforward leader with a great vision for development. May God give strength to the Pawar family and all his supporters to bear this immense grief. On behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, heartfelt condolences to Ajitdada and all those who lost their lives in this tragic accident. Om Shanti!"

Simon Almeida, Bishop of Poona, condoled the demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. "We are deeply saddened by the passing away of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane accident today. Maharashtra has thus lost an able and popular leader. This heartbreaking incident has left the people in Maharashtra in shock and grief. On behalf of the Christian community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and stand in solidarity with them during this moment of immense sorrow. We pray for strength and consolation to all those affected," he said.