India's Prime Minister has led tributes to Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state, who was tragically killed in a plane crash in the west of the country.
Pawar and four others died after the chartered plane they were travelling in crashed at the airport in Baramati, Pawar's constituency, on Wednesday morning.
India's civil aviation minister reported that visibility was poor at the airport at the time of the crash, prompting the aviation regulator to launch an investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled Pawar's death as shocking and saddening, recognizing the late politician's service to the people of Maharashtra. The funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed the loss as immeasurable and announced three days of mourning in the state.
Ajit Pawar, 66, was celebrated as one of Maharashtra's most influential leaders, often referred to as 'dada' by party members and the public alike.
His unexpected death has drawn widespread mourning across the political spectrum, with tributes from leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi.
Pawar's void in Maharashtra's political landscape raises questions about the future trajectory of his party, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), as he was known for his strong grassroots connections and leadership.
Details about the crash indicate that the aircraft was a Bombardier Learjet 45 carrying two staff members and two crew members at the time of the incident. The aviation ministry has confirmed that after being cleared for landing, the plane failed to respond to the Air Traffic Control before bursting into flames.
Ajit Pawar had a tumultuous political career, wrestling with challenges within his party and leading pivotal coalitions in Maharashtra's government, making his passing a significant turn in the state's political arena.
