Thousands gathered in Baramati on Wednesday for the state funeral of Ajit Pawar, the towering NCP leader and Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister, affectionately called Dada by his legions of supporters. Pawar, aged 66, perished in a tragic plane crash near Baramati airport the previous day while en route to campaign for upcoming local elections, leaving the political landscape reeling.

The funeral procession wound through Baramatis streets before reaching the Vidya Pratishthan grounds, a flagship educational institution founded by the Pawar family. Ajit Pawars mortal remains arrived there around 9 AM, draped in the national tricolor, as emotional supporters raised slogans like Ajit Dada amar rahe (Ajit Dada lives forever). Cremation rites commenced at 11 AM with full state honors, including a 21-gun salute, amid a sea of mourners that included his son Jay Pawar, wife Sunetra Pawar, and uncle Sharad Pawar, who visibly struggled to hold back tears during the last respects. Local residents shared heartfelt stories of Pawars personal impact—one elderly woman described him as family, recalling his hands-on aid during tough times like floods and droughts. The event highlighted Baramatis deep bond with its son of the soil, a town he nurtured into a development beacon.

Political heavyweights converged despite rivalries, signaling Pawars unique stature. Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived shortly after 10 AM, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also in attendance. The crash claimed five lives total, including pilots and crew, amplifying the sorrow as leaders from NCP, BJP, and beyond paid homage.

Ajit Pawar, born in 1959, built a career from grassroots cooperatives to four terms as Deputy CM, spearheading irrigation projects, finance portfolios, and urban growth. Under his watch, Baramati evolved from sugarcane fields to a hub with over 100 industries, modern infrastructure, reliable water, and cultural landmarks like the sprawling Shivaji museum—earning acclaim as a rural success story. As NCP braces for local polls without its dynamo, Pawars iron-fisted yet visionary style leaves big shoes to fill in Maharashtras volatile politics. His death in the very town that propelled him adds a poignant twist to a life of relentless ambition and achievement.

​Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.