Guwahati

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, stating that his long political career left a deep and enduring impact on the state’s public life.

Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives when the aircraft they were travelling in crashed while attempting to land in the Baramati area of Pune district.

Describing the incident as tragic and sudden, Gogoi, who is the deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said Pawar’s contribution to Maharashtra’s politics would be remembered for years to come.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash in Baramati that claimed the life of Ajit Pawar ji. His years of public service and political leadership have left a lasting mark on Maharashtra,” Gogoi wrote in a post on X.

He extended his condolences to Pawar’s family, friends, colleagues and supporters, and said their loss was deeply felt.

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The Assam Congress president also stressed the need for a thorough and transparent investigation into the crash, saying that clarity on the circumstances surrounding the accident was essential in the larger public interest.