Mumbai, Jan. 28 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday mourned the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, calling it "a black day" for the state.

The small charter aircraft, with Ajit Pawar on board, took off from Mumbai around 8 am and crashed near Baramati airport during a landing attempt 45 minutes later.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Sanjay Raut recalled Ajit Pawar's works, lauding his stronghold over administration. He said that Pawar was known as a minister who came fully prepared to the cabinet meetings.

Raut said, "Today is a black day for Maharashtra. When I heard the news that the plane with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on board had crashed, I was hoping that he would come out alright. ...