Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Maharashtra Mourns Deputy CM's Tragic Demise in Baramati

Pune, Maharashtra – January 28, 2026: In a devastating turn of events that has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the nation, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in state politics, was killed this morning when the aircraft carrying him crashed during an attempted landing at Baramati airport. The tragic incident, occurring at approximately 8:40 AM IST, claimed the lives of all six individuals on board, including two pilots and two security personnel.

#AjitPawarPlaneCrash: What We Know So Far

The Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK), operated by VSR, was en route from Mumbai to Baramati, where Ajit Pawar was scheduled to address four crucial public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. According to initial reports from officials, the aircraft lost control during its descent at runway 11's threshold, crashing and immediately bursting into flames. Eyewitnesses described a massive blaze and thick smoke billowing from the wreckage. The entire aircraft was reduced to ashes, a stark testament to the ferocity of the impact.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed the fatalities and stated that poor visibility could have been a contributing factor to the disaster. The pilots identified as Sumit Kapoor and Sambhavi Pathak, showed immense courage during the emergency.

#MaharashtraDeputyCM: A Political Giant's Sudden End

The state government swiftly confirmed the tragic news. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both reportedly contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, receiving urgent updates on the accident and expressing their condolences. This incident marks an unprecedented tragedy in Maharashtra's political landscape.

Ajit Pawar, the nephew of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, was renowned for his astute political acumen and his deep roots in Maharashtra's cooperative sector. Popularly known as 'Dada', he holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having held the position for six non-consecutive terms under various governments, including those led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde. His sudden demise leaves an irreplaceable void.

#AjitPawarLegacy: From Baramati to State Power

Born on July 22, 1959, Ajit Pawar's political journey began at a young age within his family's influential circles. Despite completing education only up to the SSC level, his early election to the board of a cooperative sugar factory in Baramati at 23 laid the groundwork for his future.

His electoral success included winning the Lok Sabha polls from Baramati in 1991, followed by eight terms as an MLA from the same Assembly constituency, a long-standing Pawar stronghold. Ajit Pawar quickly became a formidable force within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after its formation in 1999.

#DadaOfFarmers: The Man Who Shaped Maharashtra

At just 40, Ajit Pawar became the youngest Cabinet minister in the Vilasrao Deshmukh-led Congress government, managing crucial portfolios like irrigation, water supply, rural development, finance, and energy. He developed an independent political base, particularly in western Maharashtra, through his command over cooperatives and local institutions, earning him the moniker 'Dada' of farmers and laborers.

His career was also marked by dramatic political realignments, most notably his 2019 early-morning oath-taking with Devendra Fadnavis and his pivotal 2023 move to join the NDA, which led to another term as Deputy Chief Minister after the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.