Ajit Pawar's death: Plane crash that killed Maha Deputy CM to be probed, says Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday described the death of his fellow Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as “sad and unfortunate” and confirmed that the aircraft accident which claimed his life will be investigated.

Speaking to reporters, Shinde lauded Pawar’s decades-long contribution to the state, recalling their years of collaboration in different cabinets, including when Pawar served as his deputy from 2022 to 2024.

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“It is a very painful incident...very sad and unfortunate for Maharashtra. The aircraft accident will be probed,” Shinde said.

He added, “This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state. I am feeling as if I have lost my elder brother.”

Pawar, 66, along with four others, was killed when the aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed.

Shinde praised Pawar as a leader with a pure mind and fearless, straightforward approach, noting his administrative acumen.

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He also highlighted Pawar’s role as finance minister in 2024, when he helped arrange funding for the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a state initiative providing Rs 1,500 monthly assistance to women.

“We (Shinde, Pawar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis) worked as a team,” Shinde said.

With inputs from PTI