January 29, 2026, Baramati : The town of Baramati witnessed a sea of mourners today as the mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar were consigned to flames. The veteran leader, who met with a tragic end in a plane crash on Wednesday morning, was cremated with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan ground. The atmosphere in his political bastion remained heavy with grief, as thousands of supporters gathered to catch a final glimpse of the man they affectionately called Dada.
A large crowd of supporters gathered in Baramati, many visibly emotional, chanting slogans like Ajit Dada Amar Rahe to express their enduring respect for the leader. The final journey began earlier in the morning from his residence in Katewadi, where his body was kept for public viewing. A massive procession followed the flower-decked vehicle as it made its way through the streets of Baramati, with emotional supporters following the chariot for several kilometers. Shops and businesses across the region remained closed as a mark of respect for the leader who had represented the constituency for over three decades.
The funeral was attended by a host of high-profile dignitaries from across the political spectrum, reflecting the late leader’s wide-reaching influence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among the first to pay their respects. They were joined by other national and state figures including BJP President Nitin Nabin, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. Senior leaders from across party lines, such as former Chief Ministers Uddhav Thackeray, Sushilkumar Shinde, and Ashok Chavan, alongside MNS chief Raj Thackeray, also stood in solidarity with the grieving family.
The presence of his uncle and veteran leader Sharad Pawar, along with family members like Supriya Sule, Praful Patel, and Rohit Pawar, added a poignant layer to the ceremony. Other notable figures in attendance included Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh, and actor Riteish Deshmukh. State cabinet members including Pankaja Munde and Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil were also present to offer their floral tributes at the site.
As the police contingent sounded the last post and fired a three-round volley in the air, the state bid adieu to its longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister. The funeral pyre was lit by his sons, Parth and Jay Pawar, in the presence of his wife Sunetra Pawar, amidst Vedic chants and an outpouring of emotion from the gathered crowd. With three days of state mourning currently in effect, flags across government buildings remain at half-mast, marking the end of a significant chapter in the political history of Maharashtra.
