"Very sad incident in Maharashtra politics": BJP's Vinod Tawde mourns demise of Ajit Pawar

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], January 28 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Vinod Tawde on Wednesday expressed grief over the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, recalling his commanding nature and commitment to his word.
The NCP chief died in a charter plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati this morning. He was in Mumbai on January 27, where he attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Speaking to ANI here, Tawde said, "This is a very sad incident in Maharashtra politics. I have known him for many years. He was called 'Dada' because he had a commanding nature and always kept his word. It is a great loss to us."
Giving information about this morning's plane crash, Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh said the aircraft went down around 8:40 am, killing all five people on board.
Pune Rural SP said that the bodies have been shifted to a nearby hospital, and identification is underway.
Addressing reporters here, Pune Rural SP said," The aircraft carrying 5 people crashed just before landing at around 8:40 am today. Five people have died in this incident, and their bodies have been brought to the hospital here. We will provide an update after the bodies are identified. An expert team is present at the crash site."
Meanwhile, a special team of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will investigate the aircraft crash in Baramati. During the course of the investigation, the probe team will retrieve the flight recorder, the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), and the Digital Engine Electronic System (DEES).
Airframe and engine logbooks, work orders, on-board documents, and major inspection records related to aircraft will be gathered from the operator for scrutiny.
The probe team has also sought documents from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the crew and aircraft. Recordings of radar data, CCTV footage, ATC tape recordings, and hotline communications will be obtained for further analysis.
The investigation team will record the statements of witnesses and concerned personnel.
Devendra Fadanvis has announced a state holiday and three days of mourning following the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash this morning. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadanvis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family.
Ajit Pawar, 66, was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.
Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra non-consecutively. He served in the position for six terms within various governments. He had worked as deputy chief minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. (ANI)