Ajit Pawar's death: Plane crash that killed Maha Deputy CM to be probed, says Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his sorrow over the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar, who tragically passed away in an aircraft accident in Pune district. Shinde described this incident as a heartbreaking moment for the stat...

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.
Also Read: Ajit Pawar, the man behind Maharashtra’s budgets and a towering NCP leader, dies at 66 in a plane crash
“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.
Also Read: Ajit Pawar's final words before death in plane crash: Maharashtra Deputy CM's last post on X was just an hour ago and was a tribute
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
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.