Ajit Pawar Killed in Baramati Plane Crash
Maharashtra woke up to shocking news on Wednesday morning as Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar lost his life in a tragic plane crash near Baramati. The sudden accident has sent shockwaves across the state, bringing political activity to a standstill and triggering widespread grief among supporters and rivals alike.
According to aviation officials, the chartered aircraft carrying Pawar crash-landed while attempting to land at Baramati airport. All five people on board, including Pawar, lost their lives in the accident. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
What Happened During the Flight
Aircraft Crashes While Landing in Baramati
As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the aircraft was flying from Mumbai to Baramati when it met with the accident around 8:45 am. The jet reportedly crash-landed near the runway threshold while attempting to land.
The plane burst into flames soon after impact, leaving no survivors. Emergency services rushed to the site, and rescue and recovery operations were initiated immediately.
Who Was on Board
The aircraft was carrying five people in total. Besides Ajit Pawar, those on board included his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members. Officials confirmed that all five occupants died in the crash.
Further technical details are awaited as investigators examine flight data, weather conditions, and aircraft maintenance records.
Purpose of Ajit Pawar’s Journey
Ajit Pawar was traveling to Baramati to address a public rally in connection with the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. Baramati has long been his political stronghold, and the rally was expected to be a key event in the local campaign.
Just a day before the crash, Pawar had attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and attended by senior ministers and officials, highlighting Pawar’s active role in state governance until his final hours.
A Political Career That Spanned Four Decades
Early Political Beginnings
Ajit Pawar’s political journey began in 1982 when he was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory. This early involvement in cooperative politics laid the foundation for his rise in Maharashtra’s power circles.
By 1991, he had become the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank, a significant position that further strengthened his influence in western Maharashtra.
Entry Into Electoral Politics
In 1991, Ajit Pawar was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati. However, he vacated the seat in favor of his uncle, veteran leader Sharad Pawar. This move marked a turning point, as Ajit Pawar shifted his focus to state politics.
He went on to represent the Baramati Assembly constituency seven times, winning elections consistently from 1991 through 2014. His repeated victories made him one of the most dominant regional leaders in the state.
Maharashtra’s Longest-Serving Deputy Chief Minister
Ajit Pawar held the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra across six different terms, serving under multiple chief ministers from different political alignments. His tenure spanned governments led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
This rare continuity reflected his political adaptability, administrative experience, and strong grassroots support.
The 2019 Political Twist and Party Split
In November 2019, Ajit Pawar made headlines nationwide when he engineered a dramatic split within the NCP and briefly formed a government with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister in a short-lived alliance that reshaped Maharashtra politics overnight.
Although the government did not last, the move permanently altered political equations within the NCP.
In February 2024, the Election Commission recognized Ajit Pawar’s faction as the official Nationalist Congress Party, granting it the party name and symbol. This decision marked one of the most significant milestones of his career.
Family and Personal Life
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. His family has remained largely private, though his sons have occasionally been in the public eye due to political speculation and social media attention.
The sudden loss has left the family and supporters devastated, with condolences pouring in from across the country.
Aircraft’s Troubling History Raises Questions
Second Crash Linked to Same Company
The Learjet 45 XR aircraft involved in Wednesday’s crash had a troubling history. Officials revealed that this was the second major accident involving a jet owned by VSR Ventures in Maharashtra in the last two-and-a-half years.
The aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, crashed while attempting to land at Baramati after taking off from Mumbai.
Previous Incident in 2023
In September 2023, another Learjet 45 XR owned by the same company, registered as VT-DBL, had crash-landed at Mumbai airport. That aircraft was operating a non-scheduled passenger flight from Visakhapatnam and encountered heavy rain and poor visibility during landing.
During that incident, the aircraft reportedly drifted off the runway, experienced stall warnings, and eventually split into two parts after crash-landing. A fire broke out, but all occupants survived with injuries.
The recurrence of accidents involving similar aircraft has raised serious questions about safety standards, maintenance practices, and regulatory oversight.
Eyewitness Accounts and Ongoing Investigation
Eyewitnesses near the Baramati runway described hearing loud explosions followed by thick smoke rising from the crash site. Aviation authorities, police, and disaster response teams continue to examine wreckage and collect evidence.
The DGCA has confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine whether technical failure, weather conditions, or human error played a role in the fatal crash.
Political Shockwaves Across Maharashtra
Ajit Pawar’s death has plunged Maharashtra into political uncertainty. As one of the most powerful and influential leaders in the state, his sudden absence is expected to have far-reaching consequences on governance, party dynamics, and upcoming elections.
Leaders across party lines have expressed shock and grief, calling his death an irreparable loss to public life.
The tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati has brought an abrupt and heartbreaking end to one of Maharashtra’s most influential political careers. From cooperative politics to the highest levels of state power, his journey shaped the political landscape of Maharashtra for over four decades.
As investigations continue and the state mourns, Ajit Pawar’s legacy as a mass leader, strategist, and administrator will remain deeply etched in Maharashtra’s political history.
