Farewell, Dada: Ajit Pawar's Funeral With State Honours, Thousands Mourn

The political landscape of Maharashtra has been irrevocably altered following the tragic demise of veteran leader Ajit Pawar. In a solemn ceremony held in Baramati, the ancestral home and political bastion of the Pawar family, the 66-year-old stalwart was laid to rest with full state honours. The cremation, attended by thousands, marked a poignant end to a life that significantly shaped the state's political narrative, ushering in a three-day period of state mourning across Maharashtra.

Thousands of supporters and loyalists of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Pawar gathered, transforming the streets of Baramati into a sea of mourners. The funeral procession, initially planned to traverse five key locations, began at 9 am. However, due to the overwhelming scale of the crowds and the deteriorating condition of the body, authorities made the difficult decision to expedite the final rites. Chants of 'long live, Ajit Pawar' echoed through the somber air as the departed leader's cortege proceeded directly to the cremation site at Vidya Pratishthan ground, a testament to the immense public outpouring of grief.

The solemn occasion saw the convergence of both family and political figures from across the spectrum. Pawar’s immediate family – his wife Sunetra, and sons Parth and Jay – were present, their futures now intricately linked with the leadership of the NCP faction he steered. Notably, his estranged uncle and political mentor, Sharad Pawar, also attended, underscoring the deep, albeit often fractious, family ties. The complex relationship between the uncle and nephew had been a defining feature of Maharashtra politics, particularly after Ajit Pawar's dramatic rebellion in July 2023, which saw him align with the BJP, leading to the collapse of the then-ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition and a significant split within the NCP. Other prominent attendees included Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who served as Chief Minister during the MVA's tenure, and even celebrities like actor Riteish Deshmukh, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of Pawar's persona.

Pawar, along with four others, including both pilots, perished when his chartered Learjet 45 tragically crashed. The incident occurred well short of a tabletop runway at the Baramati airfield, where the NCP leader was en route to campaign for his party in crucial local body polls scheduled for the following week. The ill-fated aircraft, operated by VSR Ventures, a Delhi-based company, crashed at 8:46 am during its second attempt to land. Initial reports suggest that on its first approach, the pilots failed to spot the runway, necessitating a 'go-around' manoeuvre. Further investigations by the Aviation Ministry revealed a critical breach of protocol: the pilots reportedly failed to send a 'readback' of the airport's landing instructions, a standard procedure vital for flight safety.

Disturbing details continue to emerge from the ongoing investigation. It has been revealed that the plane narrowly missed a crucial deadline – by just 28 days – to retrofit a satellite-based navigation system. Such a system could have significantly aided the aircraft’s approach, particularly under adverse weather conditions. Compounding these concerns, a senior official from the civil aviation regulator DGCA disclosed that air traffic control at Baramati is uniquely managed by pilot cadets from the town's two private aviation academies. In a chilling revelation, investigators confirmed that the final words heard from the cockpit were a distraught 'oh, s***'. Meanwhile, the recovery of the aircraft's 'black box' this morning is expected to provide crucial flight data and voice recordings, shedding further light on the sequence of events leading to the catastrophic crash.

The sudden passing of Ajit Pawar, affectionately known as 'Dada' or 'older brother' across Maharashtra, has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. It has plunged the BJP-led coalition government into disarray and cast a pall of uncertainty over the future trajectory of the NCP faction he so decisively led. Beyond the immediate political vacuum, Pawar's demise also leaves a host of ambitious development projects unfinished. These include a significant proposal to increase the monthly allowance for beneficiaries of a flagship scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, alongside plans for a high-speed rail link between Pune and Nashik – vital infrastructure initiatives that were central to his vision for Maharashtra's progress.