- NCP makes public Ajit Pawar’s last phone conversation
- Call highlights message of unity and inclusive politics
- Pawar died in plane crash near Baramati on January 28
- Audio released to convey his final thoughts to the public
GG News Bureau
Pune, 4th Feb: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has released the audio recording of Ajit Pawar’s last phone conversation, days after the senior leader died in a plane crash near Baramati in Maharashtra.
The 66-year-old leader had spoken to party member Shrijeet Pawar shortly before boarding the aircraft from Mumbai to Baramati on January 28. The aircraft crashed while attempting to land near Baramati airport, killing all those on board.
In the final conversation, Ajit Pawar emphasised unity and inclusive politics, underscoring the importance of carrying all religions and castes together. Recounting the call, Shrijeet Pawar said he had messaged Ajit Pawar regarding a party matter, and the leader returned the call as soon as his phone regained network coverage.
“Ajit Dada and I belong to the same village. He called me immediately after coming into network and said that we are taking all castes and religions along with us,” Shrijeet Pawar said.
During the brief exchange, Ajit Pawar also spoke about representation and fairness, noting that the Mali community had been given representation in the Zilla Parishad from the Supe group. “We have tried to give justice to everyone,” he said in the call.
Explaining the decision to release the audio, Shrijeet Pawar said the message reflected Ajit Pawar’s core beliefs and deserved to reach the public. “This is an attempt to ensure Maharashtra knows what Ajit Dada’s thoughts were until his last breath,” he said.
On January 28, Ajit Pawar took off from Mumbai around 8 am in a Learjet 45 operated by Delhi-based firm VSR Ventures. He was scheduled to address four election rallies in his hometown Baramati ahead of local body elections. The aircraft crashed around 8:45 am during a second landing attempt.
Apart from Ajit Pawar, the crash claimed the lives of his personal security officer, an attendant, and two cockpit crew members—pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak.
Ajit Pawar’s death has left a deep void in Maharashtra politics and within the NCP. In the aftermath of the tragedy, his wife Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, filling the position left vacant by the veteran leader.
