Jammu, January 28, 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday expressed deep grief over the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who lost his life in a plane crash near Baramati in Pune district.
In a condolence message shared on X, the Lieutenant Governor described Pawar as a widely respected leader who dedicated his life to public service and the welfare of the people of Maharashtra.
“It is with shock and deep sadness that I learnt about the untimely demise of Shri Ajit Pawar Ji. He was a widely respected leader, committed to the well-being of the people, and served Maharashtra with distinction. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers,” the L-G said.
Ajit Pawar (66), a senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and seasoned administrator, was among five persons killed when a private aircraft crashed near his hometown Baramati on Wednesday morning. He was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati, where he was scheduled to address public rallies ahead of the February 5 zilla parishad elections.
Leaders across the country have expressed shock and sorrow over Pawar’s sudden demise, terming it a major loss to Maharashtra and national politics. Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
