Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has paid a heartfelt tribute to Ajit Pawar, who tragically died in a plane crash in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning. Officials confirmed the incident occurred
when the plane carrying Pawar, along with four others, landed in Baramati.
“Very sad to learn about the untimely demise of Shri Ajit Pawar ji. Maharashtra has lost a dedicated leader who worked for the people, across the state. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,” Tendulkar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
अजित पवार यांच्या निधनाची बातमी ऐकून खूप दुःख झाले. महाराष्ट्रासाठी काम करणारा एक चांगला नेता आज आपण अचानक गमावला आहे. पवार कुटुंबियांच्या दुःखात मी सहभागी आहे. ईश्वर त्यांच्या आत्म्यास शांती देवो.
भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली. ॐ शांती. 🙏🏽Very sad to learn about the untimely demise of…
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 28, 2026
The Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning across Maharashtra as a mark of respect for Ajit Pawar.
A message circulated by the protocol section of the General Administration Department confirmed that Pawar passed away on the morning of January 28.
As per the government’s instructions, state mourning will be observed from January 28 to January 30. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is regularly displayed, the department stated in an official communication.
There will be no official entertainment during the mourning period, it added.
The department further declared that all state government offices across Maharashtra will remain closed on Wednesday due to the deputy chief minister’s demise.
The message, signed by Under Secretary H P Baviskar, instructed all relevant authorities to take necessary action immediately and ensure strict compliance with the instructions.
Born on July 22, 1959, to Asha and Anantrao Pawar, Ajit Pawar followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Sharad Pawar, entering politics in 1982 when he was elected to the board of a sugar factory.
In 1991, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati and later vacated the seat for his uncle, who then became the defence minister in P V Narasimha Rao’s government.
Ajit Pawar then served as Baramati MLA for eight terms from 1991.
Known for his work ethic and punctuality, Pawar held the record of becoming the deputy chief minister in several governments led by the Congress, Shiv Sena, and BJP. Affectionately called “Dada” (elder brother), Pawar was known for speaking his mind and did not mince words, especially in front of a rural audience.
With PTI Inputs
