Ajit Pawar's demise very shocking: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the death of Maharasthra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash was untimely and very shocking.

In a post on X, Modi said Ajit Pawar was a leader of the people with a strong grassroots level connect.

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Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday to enquire about the plane crash in which Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed.

PM Modi and Union minister Shah later called up Fadnavis and took information about the plane crash, sources said.

Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed near his hometown Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said.

"Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra.

"His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," Modi said.