Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Maharashtra Mourns Ajit Pawar, NCP Considers Sunetra for Leadership
Ajit Pawar, a well-known leader in Maharashtra, died in a plane crash on January 28, 2024.
He was the Deputy Chief Minister and a key figure in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
On January 29, thousands of people gathered in Baramati to pay their last respects as he was cremated with full state honours.
Many political leaders and supporters attended.
People were very sad and said he was like a father to them.
Now, the NCP is thinking about who should lead the party next.
Some people want Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, to take over as the party president and Deputy Chief Minister to continue his legacy.
The family and party leaders are discussing the best way to move forward.
Ajit Pawar, 66, died in a plane crash on January 28, 2024, while traveling to Baramati for campaign rallies.
He was cremated with full state honours on January 29, 2024, at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, attended by thousands of supporters, political leaders, and family members.
The NCP is considering appointing Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's wife, as the party president and Deputy Chief Minister to continue his legacy.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed a team to provide Air Traffic Control (ATC) and meteorological services at the crash site.
Police grounded four unauthorized drones flying over Ajit Pawar's funeral site to maintain security.
- Who
- Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP Chief, along with four others
- What
- A plane crash resulting in the death of Ajit Pawar and others, followed by his cremation with full state honours and discussions on leadership succession within the NCP
- When
- January 28, 2024 (crash), January 29, 2024 (cremation)
- Where
- Baramati, Maharashtra
- Why
- The plane crashed during an emergency landing attempt due to low visibility
- Name
- Ajit Pawar
- Age
- 66
- Position
- Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP Chief
- Date of Death
- January 28, 2024
- Cause of Death
- Plane crash
- Location of Cremation
- Vidya Pratishthan ground, Baramati
- Attendees
- Union ministers, political leaders, family members, and thousands of supporters
- Other Victims
- Captain Sumit Kapoor, Captain Shambhavi Pathak, Vidip Jadhav, Pinky Mali
- Potential Successor
- Sunetra Pawar
Sources
'He Was Like Our Father; We Lost Our King': Baramati Mourns As Ajit Pawar Is Cremated With Full State Honours
Maharashtra mourns: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar cremated with full State honours
Man Creates Ajit Pawar’s Portrait Using His Own Blood To Pay Tribute After Tragic Plane Crash
What next for Ajit Pawar’s NCP, focus now on his 40 MLAs
Yogi-led UP ministers condole Ajit Pawar’s death in plane crash
Players and Support Staff Observe Moment of Silence to Honour Ajit Pawar During Delhi-Mumbai Ranji Clash
‘Not a single dry eye’: How the Baramati medical college, Ajit Pawar helped build, became the site of his own post-mortem
Last Rites By Son, Gun Salute: Emotional Scenes At Funeral Of Ajit Pawar Aide
Will Sunetra Pawar Step Up as NCP Chief? Key Leaders Meet Ajit Pawar's Wife After Deputy CM's Tragic Death
K Rammohan Naidu Writes To Devendra Fadnavis Regarding Plane Crash
Not possible to fill void left by Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra politics for a long time: Shah
Cruel irony: Ajit Pawar's final journey in the ambulance he helped procure
Police ground 4 drones flying at Ajit Pawar's funeral site
IAF deploys ATC, meteorological team at Baramati after aircraft crash
Chorus grows for appointing Sunetra Pawar as NCP chief and Maha Deputy CM
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The man who tried to defeat me but never hated me: Vijay Shivtare on Ajit Pawar
Leader of millions, Ajit Dada merges into the infinite: Shiv Sena(UBT) in Saamana
Ajit Pawar’s ‘Ghar Wapsi’ was confirmed: NCP merger imminent, reveals party insider
Who is Sunetra Pawar? NCP leaders back Ajit Pawar’s wife for bigger political role after his death
Ajit Pawar Was Keen On NCP Factions Merger, Close Confidant Claims Plans Were Near Completion Before Fatal Crash
Four Unauthorized Drones Grounded During Late Ajit Pawar’s Funeral In Baramati Amid Heavy Security Deployment
Ajit Pawar’s death revives NCP merger speculation
NCP Seeks To Retain Key Cabinet Portfolios After Ajit Pawar’s Death
Maha CID begins probe into Ajit Pawar's plane crash
NCP Reunion Announcement Mid-February, 4 Frontrunners For Chief: Sources
Probe Underway Into Baramati Plane Crash, Officials Focus on Sequence of Events
Ajit Pawar Death: CID Begins Probe Into Baramati Plane Crash
People want unification of NCP, Ajit Pawar was keen on it: Tope
Ajit Pawar’s ashes immersed at confluence of two rivers near his hometown Baramati