Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Member of Parliament Supriya Sule shared a deeply emotional message on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, remembering her late cousin and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Seven months after his tragic death in a plane crash at Baramati, Supriya Sule reflected on their lifelong relationship, childhood memories, and the irreplaceable sense of loss left behind by his unexpected departure.
Emotional Tribute on Raksha Bandhan
In a heartfelt message posted wrote on X, Supriya Sule expressed the profound pain of celebrating Raksha Bandhan without her brother present. Recalling the tragic morning seven months ago when the accident occurred, she noted how difficult it remains to come to terms with the reality of his absence. She reminisced about growing up together since childhood, sharing lighthearted sibling squabbles, deep affection, and mutual pride, which formed the bedrock of their bond.
Expressing her grief, she shared how she still half-expects him to suddenly appear, sit with his sisters, laugh, allow her to tie a rakhi, and seamlessly rejoin the family gathering. She wrote, "The void created in our lives by your departure can never be filled." She added that wherever he may be, his love and blessings will remain with her forever. Supriya Sule had also previously turned emotional while remembering her brother during a public appearance in July.
The Tragic Baramati Airplane Crash
Ajit Pawar passed away on the morning of January 28 when his aircraft suffered a fatal crash near Baramati airport in Pune district. He was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati to participate in campaign rallies for the upcoming district panchayat elections. The plane, registered under tail number VT-SSK, crashed in close proximity to the airport runway during its landing sequence.
All five occupants on board lost their lives in the crash. Alongside Ajit Pawar, the victims included his Personal Security Officer, a flight attendant, and two pilots. The sudden crash near the runway sent shockwaves across Maharashtra's political and administrative spectrum.
Ajit Pawar's Political Legacy in Maharashtra
Ajit Pawar was widely recognized as one of Maharashtra's most influential political figures. He held the distinction of being the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister in the state's political history, having assumed the office six separate times under different administrations. Over his career, he served in cabinet governments headed by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
Supriya Sule, daughter of former Chief Minister Sharad Pawar, continues her public service as a Member of Parliament representing the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction. Her Raksha Bandhan message highlights both the personal grief within the prominent political family and the deep emotional connection she shared with her late brother.
