Plane Crash in Baramati Claims Life of Ajit Pawar
Maharashtra and the nation are in mourning following the shocking death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28, 2026. The 66-year-old leader, fondly known as "Dada," perished along with four others when their chartered Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) crashed during landing at Baramati Airport around 8:44 AM IST.
Pawar had flown from Mumbai to campaign for upcoming Zilla Parishad elections in his stronghold. Witnesses reported the aircraft veering off the runway, bursting into flames with multiple explosions, and intense fire preventing any rescue. All five aboard—Pawar, pilot Sumit Kapur, co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav—died instantly. Initial reports cite poor visibility possibly forcing a go-around maneuver before the fatal impact.
Born July 22, 1959, Ajit Anantrao Pawar rose from the influential Pawar family as nephew of Sharad Pawar. He entered politics in 1991, winning Baramati Lok Sabha seat (later vacated for his uncle), and dominated the Assembly constituency from 1995 onward. Serving as Deputy CM six times across coalitions, he handled finance, irrigation, and planning, earning praise for rural development and water projects despite past unproven controversies.
His 2023 split from Sharad Pawar's NCP, aligning with BJP-led Mahayuti, reshaped Maharashtra politics. The Election Commission recognized his faction as the official NCP in 2024, and he remained Deputy CM under Devendra Fadnavis.
The tragedy leaves a void in the ruling alliance and Pawar legacy. Survived by wife Sunetra Pawar (Rajya Sabha MP) and sons Parth and Jay, tributes flooded in: PM Narendra Modi called it "shocking and saddening," CM Fadnavis declared three days of state mourning and a holiday, while leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and others expressed grief. Sharad Pawar urged against conspiracy theories or politicization.
