Pune, Jan 29 : The final rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar will be performed on Thursday in Baramati, his long-time political base, following his death in a plane crash on Wednesday.
The funeral will take place with full state honours amid tight security arrangements, as several senior leaders from across the country are expected to attend.
Antim Yatra route and timing
Pawar’s Antim Yatra is scheduled to begin at 9 am from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima). His mortal remains will be carried in a specially decorated rath through key areas of Baramati before reaching the Vidya Pratishthan Ground, where the last rites will be conducted at 11 am.
Floral chariot prepared
Officials said the chariot has been adorned with flowers and Pawar’s photograph, along with a message paying tribute to the late leader.
Public homage
Before the funeral, Pawar’s mortal remains were kept at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground, allowing party workers, supporters and local residents to pay their final respects.
Dignitaries expected
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are among the leaders expected to be present at the ceremony.
State mourning announced
The Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning. As a mark of respect, the national flag will fly at half-mast on all government buildings during this period.
Crash investigation underway
Postmortem examinations of the pilot, co-pilot and flight attendant killed in the crash have been completed at a government medical college in Baramati, and their bodies have been handed over to their families.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the probe into the crash of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which went down while attempting to land near Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. Police have registered an accidental death report as investigations continue.