Lost A Friend, Lost A Leader”: Raj Thackeray On Ajit Pawar’s Tragic Death
Lost A Friend, Lost A Leader”: Raj Thackeray On Ajit Pawar’s Tragic Death
Mumbai | Baramati, January 28, 2026: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray expressed deep grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a tragic plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday morning. Calling Pawar a close friend and an exceptional political figure, Thackeray said Maharashtra’s political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss.
Ajit Pawar’s aircraft took off from Mumbai at around 8.10 am and was scheduled to land in Baramati by 8.50 am. However, the plane met with an accident while approaching Baramati, killing Ajit Pawar and four others on board.
Reacting to the tragedy, Raj Thackeray said the state had lost a leader who rose through sheer passion for politics and strong administrative understanding. He noted that although Ajit Pawar emerged from the political legacy of the Pawar family, he went on to create his own distinct identity, earning recognition across every corner of Maharashtra.
Thackeray recalled that during the rapid urbanisation of the 1990s, Ajit Pawar demonstrated a rare ability to balance rural political sensibilities with emerging urban challenges. He cited Pimpri-Chinchwad and Baramati as prime examples of Pawar’s transformative leadership, stating that even his political opponents acknowledged the development work carried out under his influence.
Describing Pawar as a leader with a firm grip on administration, Thackeray said he had an exceptional ability to cut through bureaucratic complexity and deliver results. “At a time when administration often overpowers elected leadership, losing a leader like Ajit Pawar is extremely unfortunate,” he said.
माझे मित्र आणि राज्याचे उपमुख्यमंत्री अजित पवार यांचं निधन झालं. महाराष्ट्राच्या राजकारणाने एक उमदा नेता गमावला.
— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) January 28, 2026
अजित पवार यांचा आणि माझा राजकारणातला प्रवेश हा काहीसा एकाच काळातील, अर्थात आमचा परिचय हा बराच नंतरचा. पण राजकारणावर कमालीचं प्रेम या एका गुणावर अजित पवारांनी… pic.twitter.com/yIjUC255Af
Raj Thackeray also highlighted Pawar’s straightforward and no-nonsense approach to politics. He said Pawar never made empty promises and was equally clear when a task was not possible. Thackeray added that such blunt honesty often comes at a cost in politics, a reality both leaders had experienced.
Another defining quality, Thackeray noted, was Ajit Pawar’s rejection of caste-based politics. He said Pawar was among the few leaders who had the courage to place development and governance above caste considerations, a rarity in contemporary politics.
Emphasising that political rivalry should never turn personal, Raj Thackeray said Maharashtra is steadily losing leaders who understood the dignity of principled opposition. “The departure of large-hearted political opponents is a serious setback for Maharashtra’s political culture,” he remarked.
Extending condolences, Raj Thackeray said he and his family stand with the Pawar family in this moment of grief, and on behalf of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, paid heartfelt tributes to Ajit Pawar.
Investigations into the plane crash are ongoing, with authorities examining technical and operational factors. Further updates are awaited.
