Tragic End to a Political Era: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Baramati Plane Crash. In a catastrophic turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the Indian political landscape, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, Ajit Pawar, has passed away. The 66-year-old leader was Dies on Wednesday morning, January 28, 2026, when his chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Baramati airport.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and local police officials have confirmed that there were no survivors among the five people confirmed to be on board.
The Fatal Descent: What Happened?
The accident occurred at approximately 8:45 AM as the aircraft, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by Delhi-based charter firm VSR, was on its final approach to Baramati. Pawar had departed from Mumbai early that morning following a high-level Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He was en route to his hometown and political stronghold, Baramati, to address a series of four public rallies ahead of the crucial Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for February 5.
Timeline of the Crash
08:00 AM: Ajit Pawar departs Mumbai via a private chartered flight.
08:40 AM: The aircraft enters the Baramati airspace and begins its descent.
08:45 AM: Witnesses report the plane appearing unstable near the threshold of Runway 11.
08:48 AM: The aircraft veers off the runway, splits upon impact, and immediately bursts into a massive fireball.
09:15 AM: Emergency responders and local residents reach the site to find the wreckage completely engulfed in thick smoke.
“The aircraft encountered severe instability during the landing process. It seems to have lost balance just as leading to a fatal explosion,” noted an initial report from the DGCA.
Casualties and Identification
While initial reports were conflicting—some suggesting Pawar had been rushed to a hospital with injuries—the grim reality was confirmed by authorities shortly after. Pune Superintendent of Police Sandeep Gill stated that rescue teams recovered the remains from the mangled wreckage.
Those On Board
According to the official flight manifest released by the DGCA:
Ajit Pawar: Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP Chief.
One Personal Security Officer (PSO): Member of Pawar’s security detail.
One Attendant: A personal staff member.
Two Crew Members: The Pilot-in-Command and the First Officer.
Kiran Gurjar, a close aide to Ajit Pawar who was waiting at the airport to receive him, broke down while speaking to the press: “All five people, including Ajit Dada, have perished. It is a dark day for Baramati and Maharashtra.”
Visuals from the Scene: A “Massive Blaze”
The crash site, located in an open field near the airport perimeter, presented a harrowing scene. Eyewitnesses described a “sudden jolt” as the plane touched down, followed by a deafening blast.
Visuals shared on social media and broadcast by news outlets showed the Learjet 45 reduced to charred remains. The fuselage had split into multiple sections, with wreckage scattered across the field. Despite the rapid response of fire tenders, the intensity of the fuel-fed fire left no hope for those trapped inside.
Political Impact and Reactions
The death of Ajit Pawar marks the end of a dominant chapter in Maharashtra politics. As the nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, Ajit was a powerhouse in the state’s cooperative sector and a key architect of the current ruling coalition.
Family in Mourning
At the time of the crash, the wider Pawar family—including Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and Parth Pawar—were in Delhi for the Parliament’s Budget Session. Upon hearing the news, they immediately departed for Baramati from Sharad Pawar’s Delhi residence.
National Leadership Reacts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have reportedly spoken with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take stock of the situation.
Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT): “Maharashtra is in deep pain. It is a weird coincidence that Baramati, which was so close to his heart, is where he took his last breath.”
Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT): “This is heart-rending. Despite our political differences, he was a committed administrator who lived for his work.”
Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), led by Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, has launched a high-level probe into the crash. Investigators are focusing on:
Technical Failure: Whether a mechanical fault occurred during the final approach.
Emergency Landing Factors: Preliminary reports suggest the pilot may have been attempting an emergency landing just before the impact.
Maintenance Records: The history of the aircraft operated by VSR will be scrutinized.
The Baramati airport has been cordoned off, and all flight operations have been temporarily suspended as investigators begin their assessment.
The Legacy of “Ajit Dada”
Known for his legendary punctuality and blunt administrative style, Ajit Pawar was a seven-time MLA from Baramati. His influence over the state’s finances and rural infrastructure was unparalleled. From his start in 1982 in the cooperative sector to becoming a six-term Deputy Chief Minister, his departure leaves a massive power vacuum in the state.
As Maharashtra enters a period of official mourning, thousands of people have begun gathering in Baramati, struggling to come to terms with the loss of the leader they simply called “Dada.”
Disclaimer: This information is based on various inputs from news agency.