"Unfortunate, huge loss": Union Minister Nitin Gadkari condoles death of Ajit Pawar in plane crash

New Delhi [India], January 28 (ANI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday condoled the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP Chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati.
Speaking to the media, Gadkari, while paying tribute, termed Pawar's passing as "unfortunate".
"Ajit Pawar's death is unfortunate. He was my close friend in politics, and we also had familial relations. His passing away is a huge loss. On behalf of the party, I pay my tributes to him," he said.
The small charter aircraft, which took off from Mumbai around 8 am, crashed near Baramati airport during a landing attempt 45 minutes later. Visuals from the crash spot show fire and smoke spewing from the remains of the plane. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said all five passengers on board died in the crash.
Pawar was headed to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad Elections when his plane crashed. Pawar was in Mumbai on Tuesday, where he attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and other officials were also present.
Meanwhile, NCP leader Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar's cousin Supriya Sule, his wife Sunetra and son Parth are on their way to Baramati after the tragic incident.
Earlier, an emotional Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant expressed grief at the news of the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar who was killed in a charter plane crash in Bramati early today.
"It is very sad news," Sawant said adding that the entire Pawar family is shattered by the news. I always did what he said. He was a bold man. He had a big role in the development of the Baramati region. I express my condolences to the entire Pawar family," the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said.
Most of the MPs were in the national capital to attend the Budget Session of Parliament which begins today.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "This is very shocking, painful and heart-rending. There have been differences between us, but we have worked together. He was a really committed man who kept to his work. I express my sympathies to Pawar sahab, Supriya ji, Sunetra ji, Parth and Jay. I also express sympathies to lakhs and crores of people in Baramati...Going away like this is very painful..."
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and his supporters. I have spoken to Ajit Pawar's wife and Supriya ji (Supriya Sule)." (ANI)