Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning after the chartered aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land in Baramati, his hometown in Pune district. He was 66. The tragic accident has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra’s political landscape and triggered an outpouring of condolences from leaders across party lines.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by private firm VSR, had taken off from Mumbai around 8 am. The plane ran into trouble during its descent and attempted an emergency landing at Baramati airport around 8:45 am. Visuals from the crash site showed thick smoke, fire, and the aircraft split into pieces, with debris scattered across an open field. The DGCA confirmed that there were no survivors.
Besides Pawar, four others were on board, including two pilots and his security personnel. Emergency services, including fire tenders, police and medical teams, rushed to the site, but the intensity of the fire and impact left little chance of rescue. An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash, with early reports suggesting the aircraft veered off the runway during landing.
Pawar was on his way to attend multiple public meetings in Baramati ahead of upcoming local body and Zilla Parishad polls. A key political figure in Maharashtra, he played a central role in state politics for decades. In 2023, he led a split in the NCP, breaking away from his uncle and party founder Sharad Pawar to join the NDA government and take charge as Deputy Chief Minister.
Leaders from across the political spectrum, including the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and opposition figures, expressed deep sorrow and paid tribute to Pawar’s long public service. Sharad Pawar and other family members, who were in Delhi for the Budget session, are expected to return to Maharashtra immediately.
The crash marks one of the most tragic incidents involving a sitting senior state leader in recent years, leaving a major void in Maharashtra’s political leadership.
