Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Tragic Plane Crash at Baramati

NEW DELHI – Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar passed away on Wednesday morning after a chartered aircraft carrying him crash-landed at Baramati airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that none of the five individuals on board survived the accident.

The Incident

The aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR (Registration VT-SSK), departed from Mumbai at approximately 8:00 AM. It was scheduled to land in Baramati, Mr. Pawar’s hometown, where he was slated to address several public meetings ahead of the upcoming local body polls.

According to preliminary reports from the DGCA, the aircraft appeared unstable during its descent. At roughly 8:45 AM, the plane attempted to land but veered off the runway and burst into flames upon impact. Local witnesses described hearing multiple explosions as the wreckage was engulfed in a massive blaze, making rescue efforts by airport staff and villagers impossible.

Victims of the Crash

The DGCA occurrence report listed five fatalities:

• Ajit Pawar (66): Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP President.

• Two Personnel: A Personal Security Officer (PSO) and a personal attendant.

• Two Crew Members: The Pilot-in-Command and the First Officer.

National Reaction

The news has sent shockwaves through India’s political landscape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have reportedly spoken with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to express their condolences and receive updates on the investigation.

Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed their grief. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described the incident as “heart-rending,” noting Mr. Pawar’s commitment to his work despite political differences.

Investigation Underway

A specialized team from the DGCA has been dispatched to Baramati to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. While early reports suggest a technical failure during the emergency landing attempt, investigators will examine the flight data recorders and the maintenance history of the Learjet 45 to determine the exact sequence of events.

Ajit Pawar was a titan of Maharashtra politics, having served as Deputy Chief Minister for a record six terms under various administrations. He is survived by his wife Sunetra and two sons, Parth and Jay. His remains are being moved to a local hospital in Baramati, where his family—including NCP founder Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule—are expected to arrive from Delhi later today.