Maharashtra Mourns as Ajit Pawar's Final Journey Begins Amid Crash Probe
The political landscape of Maharashtra is in mourning today as the state prepares for the final rites of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who tragically lost his life in a devastating plane crash on Wednesday morning. The somber ceremony is scheduled for 11 am at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, the Pawar family's political stronghold, marking the end of an era for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
The Tragic Incident: A Detailed Account
The fatal crash occurred at Baramati airport, a small regional airstrip primarily used for pilot training, where low visibility conditions are now suspected to have played a critical role. Ajit Pawar was traveling to Pune aboard a chartered Bombardier Learjet 45, accompanied by his security officer Vidip Jadhav, flight attendant Pinky Mali, pilot Captain Sumit Kapoor, and co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak. All five individuals perished in the accident, sending shockwaves through the political corridors of Maharashtra and beyond.
Eyewitnesses recounted a poignant detail: Pawar was identified by his distinctive wristwatch, a symbol that resonated deeply with NCP workers, as the clock is also the party's emblem. This grim identification underscored the personal and political loss felt by many.
Investigation Unfolds: AAIB Takes Charge
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has assumed control of the probe into the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft took off from Mumbai airport and was airborne for approximately 35 minutes before the tragedy unfolded. In the pilot's final communications, he reported an inability to sight the runway, necessitating a second landing attempt. Subsequently, the plane reportedly slipped and crashed into a rock, highlighting the challenges of navigating in poor visibility at an airstrip lacking advanced navigational aids.
Investigators have already visited the Delhi office of VSR Aviation, the operator of the jet, which is owned by two pilots and has seen rapid expansion in recent years. This probe comes against a backdrop of earlier warnings from a Parliamentary panel, which cautioned that aviation safety oversight has failed to keep pace with the swift growth of private and charter aircraft operations in India.
Political Repercussions and Legacy
Ajit Pawar's death leaves a significant void in Maharashtra politics. As the son of Sharad Pawar's elder brother, he rose swiftly under his uncle's patronage within the NCP, yet often chafed at the constraints of this inheritance. His career was marked by a drive to carve out an independent identity, culminating in his decisive split from the NCP in 2023. In Baramati, party workers and residents are grieving, reflecting on his complex legacy that included both political maneuvering and controversies, such as the Rs 1,300-crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank case and the Rs 70,000-crore irrigation projects controversy linked to his tenure as Water Resources Minister.
For the ruling Mahayuti alliance, this loss deals a substantial blow. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had long relied on Ajit Pawar to counterbalance Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, and with his passing, the BJP loses crucial leverage. The larger question now looms over the NCP itself: will Ajit Pawar's death pave the way for a reunification of the split factions, potentially unsettling the ruling alliance further, or will new contenders emerge to lead the party?
Broader Implications and Reflections
As Maharashtra bids farewell to one of its most prominent leaders, the incident raises urgent questions about aviation safety and infrastructure in India's regional airports. The AAIB's findings will be closely watched, not only for closure in this tragic case but also for insights that could prevent similar disasters in the future. In the words of Loksatta editor Girish Kuber, Ajit Pawar was "a man in a hurry, even when the destination was not in sight," a sentiment that now echoes with profound irony in light of the crash circumstances.
Today, as the last rites are performed, the focus remains on honoring a political figure whose life was cut short, while authorities work diligently to uncover the precise causes behind this heartbreaking event. The nation watches with bated breath, hoping for answers and healing in the days to come.
