Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Ajit 'Dada' Pawar died on Wednesday in a plane crash at Baramati airport, leaving behind a long career of ups and downs in politics. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's last rites began today, January 29, 2026, with his mortal remains carried in a decorated rath for his 'Antim Yatra'. The chariot is adorned with flowers, featuring Pawar's image and a board reading "Swargiya Ajitdada Pawar amar rahein" (Long live Ajit Dada Pawar). Since then, he has held many more positions, including MLA, Minister of State for various critical government departments, and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra non-consecutively.