India, Jan. 29 -- Precise grip on administration: Raj Thackeray

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Wednesday said that in the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the State has lost an outstanding leader with a precise grip on the administration, and someone who was remarkably straightforward and free of caste bias.

Pawar (66) and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed near Baramati in Pune district of Maharashtra on Wednesday morning. He was traveling to his hometown, Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings.

In a post on X, Thackeray said, "My friend and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has passed away. Maharashtra's politics has lost an outstanding leader."...