Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash in Baramati; PM Modi, other leaders express shock
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash at Baramati on Wednesday morning.
Baramati: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash at Baramati on Wednesday morning. The accident occurred when a chartered Learjet 45 aircraft overshot the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport. Five people were killed in the crash.
According to officials, the aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, had been chartered from Mumbai. It was carrying Pawar to his hometown, where he was scheduled to address four public meetings ahead of the zilla parishad elections.
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware said the aircraft veered off the side of the runway during landing and crashed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that four others were on board in addition to Pawar.
The victims included pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak, Pawar’s security staff member Vidhit Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali. No survivors were reported.
National leaders condole death
Prime minister Narendra Modi described Pawar’s death as “deeply shocking and saddening,” calling him a grassroots leader known for his administrative acumen and commitment to public service. The prime minister said Pawar’s demise was an irreparable loss to Maharashtra’s political life.
Union home minister Amit Shah also expressed condolences. Both Modi and Shah spoke to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek updates on the incident.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, including from Pawar’s co–deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.
Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed deep shock and profound grief over the tragic demise of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. In a condolence message, Revanth Reddy said Pawar’s sudden passing was an irreparable loss to public life and extended heartfelt condolences to his family, the government of Maharashtra, and the people of the state. He also prayed for strength and courage for the bereaved family during this moment of immense sorrow.
Family reaction
Pawar’s brother Shriniwas Pawar said the family was heading to Baramati following confirmation that no one survived the crash. He said Pawar’s son Yugendra was hospitalised in Baramati, and the last rites would be conducted in the town.
Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and sister Supriya Sule were also travelling to Baramati.
Political legacy
Ajit Pawar was among Maharashtra’s longest-serving deputy chief ministers, having held the post six times across different governments. He served in cabinets led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.
He entered the Lok Sabha in 1991 from Baramati before vacating the seat for his uncle Sharad Pawar. Ajit Pawar went on to win the Baramati assembly constituency seven times, beginning with a by-election victory in 1991.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway, with aviation authorities expected to examine technical data, weather conditions and runway factors.
