Baramati Comes to a Standstill as Ajit Pawar's Tragic Demise Unfolds
The clock seemed to freeze at 8:44 AM on Wednesday for the residents of Baramati. Their beloved leader, Ajit Pawar, known for his punctuality and dedication, met a tragic end while attempting to keep his final appointment with his hometown. The news of his plane crash sent shockwaves through the community, leaving an indelible mark of sorrow.
A Town United in Grief and Heartbreak
Baramatikars had already experienced heartbreak when Ajit Pawar parted ways with his uncle, Sharad Pawar. However, Wednesday's tragedy brought a new wave of anguish. Grown men wept openly at street corners as information about the crash began to circulate. Shopkeepers swiftly pulled down their shutters, and the once-vibrant taluka, often regarded as a city in its own right, slipped into a state of deep mourning.
Despite political divisions evident in the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections, where allegiances were split between patriarch Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, the love for the Pawar family in their constituency remained unwavering. On this somber day, grief served as a unifying force, bringing everyone together in shared loss.
The Scene of the Crash: A Harrowing Sight
Roads leading to Baramati were congested with vehicles, VIP convoys, and police escorts, yet the streets themselves were eerily deserted. Shops remained closed as villages and towns struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy. At the crash site, near the tabletop runway of Baramati airport, yellow police tape cordoned off the area.
A non-metallic road encircling the runway led to the wreckage. The air was thick with the smell of gasoline, a stark contrast to the picturesque surroundings of sugarcane fields under clear blue skies. The tail of the aircraft, mangled cables, an engine, and a tyre were scattered across the site. Papers lay strewn about, a testament to Ajit Dada's habit of working even while on the move.
Eyewitness Accounts and Overwhelming Outpouring
Police personnel, forensic officials, and health workers gathered on the runway as helicopters ferried VIPs to the site. Since the news broke, people from far and wide, including distraught local residents, party workers, and outsiders, thronged the area. Anita Atole, an eyewitness, captured the collective sentiment: "We saw the crash, smoke, everything. Even when we were told Dada was one of the travellers, we kept hoping against hope. It was heartbreaking when it was confirmed."
Baramati's Heart: A Community in Mourning
Back in the town center, a pall of gloom descended. Many houses were locked by afternoon, and Katewadi, Ajit Pawar's village, stood deserted as everyone flocked to Baramati to pay their respects. Numerous individuals refrained from eating or drinking, waiting anxiously for updates on Dada until late hours.
In the 2024 Assembly elections, Ajit Pawar was recognized as the undisputed heir of Baramati, a stronghold of Sharad Pawar since 1967. His grassroots efforts formed the cornerstone of his popularity, earning him the affectionate title "Dada" from Baramatikars.
Personal Tributes and Enduring Legacy
Aishwarya Nimgire, 27, recounted leaving her chores unfinished upon hearing rumors about Dada's accident. "Till then, I just knew it was an accident. Then came the message that he was no more, and our world crashed," she said, standing with her young son Arjun and husband Pappu at Vidya Pratishthan's ground to bid farewell.
Atul Khatmode, a farmer, praised Ajit Pawar's accessibility: "In Baramati, Dada is like God. He would meet people anywhere, rolling down his car window or stopping to chat. He was straightforward—if something could be done, he said so; if not, he was equally clear."
Shehbaz Bagwan, 23, highlighted his secular approach: "He never cared about caste or religion. If Sharad Pawar built Baramati's foundation, Dada constructed the building. Look at our roads, schools, hospitals—we have everything a city needs."
Businessman Ashok Patil shared how Ajit Pawar would chide them for traveling to Mumbai unnecessarily, urging them to meet him in Baramati instead. School teacher Ganesh Jagtap noted his strictness regarding time, cleanliness, and moral conduct.
Final Journey and Statewide Impact
NCP worker Aditya Wagh described the loss as personal: "For Baramatikars, he was like a family member. Hence this outpouring." Aditya Solanki, another party worker, emphasized his non-partisan help and called his death a significant loss for Maharashtra's secular politics.
A large crowd gathered at Punya Shlok Ahilya Devi Hospital, where crash victims were taken, chanting slogans like "Ekach Wada Ajit Dada" and "Ajit Dada Amar Rahe." His body, transported in a white ambulance adorned with garlands, arrived at Vidya Pratishthan's ground around 7:40 PM, accompanied by his sons Jay and Parth Pawar. Emotional crowds, climbing trees for a glimpse, overwhelmed police efforts to maintain order.
A peon at Vidya Pratishthan recalled how the institution swiftly shut down as news spread. Ajit Pawar's final rites were scheduled for 11 AM on Thursday at the same ground.
Condolences from Across the Region
Pavan Yekhe from Pune remembered his perfectionism: "When we showed him a third-prize certificate, he said we should aim for first." Sachin Salunkhe, who took leave to visit Baramati, noted, "What Sharad Pawar is to the older generation, he is to us." Mansur Patel, a BJP worker from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, praised his inclusive development focus and experience.
The tragedy has left Baramati and Maharashtra grappling with the void left by a leader who was not just a politician but a cherished figure deeply embedded in the community's fabric.
