🕯️ TEARFUL TRIBUTES IN BARAMATI: Ajit Pawar Cremated with Full State Honours; Sons Light Pyre Amid Massive Crowd
Thousands converged at Vidya Pratishthan grounds in Baramati as Maharashtra’s veteran leader Ajit Pawar was consigned to flames with full state honours on Thursday. Sons Parth and Jay Pawar lit the pyre after emotional tributes from family, NCP workers, and dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Funeral Proceedings & Dignitaries
The cortege bearing Pawar’s tricolour-draped remains proceeded from native Katewadi village through teeming streets to Vidya Pratishthan at 11 AM. Police rendered ceremonial honours with gun salute; chants of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” echoed as supporters paid homage.
Amit Shah led tributes; Sharad Pawar, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Supriya Sule, and Sunetra Pawar joined the solemn gathering. Maharashtra observed three-day mourning with flags at half-mast.[web:111]
CCTV Footage: Crash’s Shocking Moments
Highway camera footage captured the Learjet 45XR’s harrowing final seconds: sharp left tilt, loss of control, belly-up spiral, and explosive fireball at 8:46 AM Wednesday near runway threshold. No ATC response after runway-not-visible report.
Experts flag unusual banking, possible technical failure; AAIB probes maintenance, pilot actions, runway state. Same jet had 2023 incident.
Victims & Probe Status
Besides Pawar (66), perished: Capt. Sumit Kapur, FO Shambhavi Pathak, attendant Pinky Mali, PSO Vidhit Jadhav. Black box analysis underway; opposition seeks judicial inquiry.
Legacy & Political Void
- Baramati Icon: 5-time Dy CM, irrigation pioneer, NCP powerhouse; 45-year career shaped Maharashtra politics.
- Family: Wife Sunetra, sons Parth (MLA), Jay led rituals; nephew Rohit Pawar emotional.
- Impact: NCP leadership gap; Baramati LS bypoll speculation; state-wide condolences.
- Security: Heavy deployment managed massive crowds peacefully.
National Echoes
PM Modi termed Pawar “development warrior”; Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav offered condolences. Aviation safety under lens post-crash.
