Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash: PM Modi, Leaders Mourn 'Leader of the People'

• Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar passed away in a plane crash on Wednesday morning.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow on X, calling Pawar a 'leader of the people' with strong grassroots connections and excellent administrative grasp.
• Pawar was en route from Mumbai to Baramati for District Council election campaigning when his plane crashed due to fog and pilot losing control.
• His untimely death has created turmoil in Maharashtra politics, leaving the NCP orphaned and ending hopes of factional reunification.
• Ajit Pawar served as Deputy Chief Minister five times, maintaining good relations across Congress, Shiv Sena, and BJP.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash, shocking the state and drawing condolences from PM Modi.