Mamata, Abhishek express shock over Ajit Pawar’s death in plane crash

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday expressed deep shock and grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash near Baramati.

Taking to her X handle, Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply shocked and stunned” by the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar.

Advertisement

“The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss,” she wrote.

Extending her condolences, the Chief Minister said her thoughts were with Pawar’s family, including his uncle and veteran leader Sharad Pawar, as well as his friends and followers.

Abhishek Banerjee also conveyed his condolences through a post on X, saying he was “profoundly shocked and saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Shri Ajit Pawar.”

The TMC leader offered his “heartfelt condolences” to Pawar’s family, colleagues and associates, and expressed solidarity with the families of all those who lost their lives in the crash.

“May they find strength, courage and peace during this moment of deep sorrow,” he said.

Ajit Pawar, the NCP chief and Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, died earlier in the day when a small aircraft flying from Mumbai to Baramati crashed during a landing attempt near Baramati airport.

Four others, including pilots and security personnel, were also killed. Pawar was on his way to attend a series of public meetings ahead of the upcoming local body elections.

The Trinamul Congress, later posted on its X handle: “Smt. @MamataOfficial expressed deep anguish over the tragic and untimely passing of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar, in a devastating plane crash.

“In this moment of national grief, she conveyed her heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and admirers across the country.

“At the same time, underscoring the gravity of the incident and the need for complete transparency, she called for a thorough investigation under the supervision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, the Trinamul in another post in its X handle posted on the latest developments regarding the Banglar Bari scheme and that 20 lakh families will benefit under the scheme in its second phase.

The party posted: “Despite prolonged financial deprivation by the Modi Government, Smt. @MamataOfficial continues to stand firmly with Bengal’s poorest. The second phase of Banglar Bari has now been launched to ensure permanent housing for those most in need.

“In this phase, 20 lakh families across the state will benefit. Each family will receive financial assistance of ₹1.20 lakh to build their homes. The total expenditure in this phase will be ₹24,000 crore. Across both phases, 32 lakh rural families will benefit under the Banglar Bari (Gramin) scheme, with a total outlay of ₹38,400 crore.”