Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Two-time Olympic medallist remembers Ajit Pawar’s warmth and leadership after tragic plane crash
The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar has left the nation in deep shock and mourning. Ajit Pawar lost his life in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday morning, along with five others. Among those who expressed heartfelt condolences was two-time Olympic medallist and former world badminton champion PV Sindhu, who shared an emotional message remembering her bond with the veteran leader.
Taking to social media platform X, Sindhu said she deeply regrets not visiting Baramati, despite being invited multiple times by Ajit Pawar. She recalled meeting him on several occasions and said she was always impressed by his discipline, dedication to work, and love for his people. “Rest in peace, Ajit Dada. I had the privilege of meeting you many times, and every time I was struck by your discipline, your work ethic, and the love you had for your people,” Sindhu wrote.
She further added, “You often told me, ‘Come to my Baramati.’ I kept thinking there would be time. I never imagined I’d regret not coming like this.” Her words reflected the deep sense of loss felt by many who knew the influential leader personally.
According to reports, Ajit Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to attend a public meeting amid the ongoing Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. The aircraft took off from Mumbai in the morning, but around 9 a.m., nearly an hour into the journey, it met with a fatal accident. Apart from Ajit Pawar, the crash claimed the lives of pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, Captain Sumit Kapoor, Pinky Mali, and PSO Videep Jadhav.
Expressing grief over the loss of all those who died in the accident, Sindhu extended her condolences to their families, saying that so many lives lost at once had shattered several families. She prayed for strength and courage for everyone affected by the tragedy.
Ajit Pawar had represented the Baramati Assembly constituency seven consecutive times since 1991, winning by massive margins each time. His strong political base was rooted in Maharashtra’s cooperative sector. He also served as the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank for 16 years and held significant influence over sugar cooperatives and milk unions. Over his long political career, he handled key ministerial portfolios such as Water Resources, Power, and Rural Development under multiple Chief Ministers, making his passing an irreparable loss to Maharashtra’s political landscape.