Baramati, Maharashtra – January 28, 2026
In a shocking and devastating incident this morning, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar lost his life in a plane crash near Baramati airport. The chartered aircraft, carrying the Deputy CM and five others, crashed during its landing attempt, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board, according to confirmations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and multiple official sources.
The crash occurred around 8:45 AM IST when the plane, identified in some reports as registration VTSSK (a Learjet 45 model), was approaching the runway at Baramati airstrip in Pune district. Ajit Pawar, 66, was traveling from Mumbai to his hometown Baramati to address public meetings and campaign ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. Eyewitness accounts and visuals from the site showed the wreckage engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
A close aide of Pawar, Kiran Gurjar, who was at the local hospital, confirmed the tragic outcome: “All six people including Ajit Pawar were brought dead.” DGCA officials have stated that no survivors were reported from the incident, and an immediate investigation has been launched to determine the cause, which remains unknown at this stage. Preliminary reports suggest the crash happened during the final approach, possibly due to a loss of control or technical issues, though weather and other factors are also under scrutiny.
Ajit Pawar, nephew of veteran NCP founder Sharad Pawar, had a long and prominent political career spanning decades. He served multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, including his most recent stint under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis since December 2024. Known for his influence in western Maharashtra, particularly in Baramati — a stronghold of the Pawar family — Ajit Pawar was a key figure in state politics, having navigated complex alliances across parties over the years.
News of the crash sent shockwaves across political circles. Family members, including Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and Parth Pawar, were reported to be en route to Baramati from Delhi. Tributes poured in from leaders across party lines, with many describing Pawar’s death as a massive loss to Maharashtra and Indian politics.
Rescue and emergency services, including fire brigades and medical teams, responded swiftly, but the intensity of the fire and impact left little hope for survival. The aircraft reportedly belonged to a private charter company, and aviation authorities have cordoned off the site for forensic examination.
This is a developing story. Further updates on the investigation, official statements from the Maharashtra government, and reactions from national leaders are awaited. The nation mourns the sudden demise of one of its prominent political figures in this heartbreaking tragedy.