BREAKING: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Killed in Baramati Plane Crash

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar was killed in a chartered aircraft crash at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning, according to an initial occurrence report issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The DGCA said the Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by VSR and registered as VT-SSK, crash-landed while attempting to land at Baramati. All five people on board, including crew, died in the accident.

As per the regulator’s preliminary findings, the passengers included Ajit Pawar (66), along with two security personnel, a personal security officer (PSO), and an attendant. The aircraft was being flown by a Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and a First Officer (FO).

Emergency services rushed to the crash site soon after the incident, with fire and rescue teams initiating operations. The area around the airport was cordoned off as investigators began preliminary assessments. Officials said further details would emerge after a full technical examination of the aircraft and flight data.

Ajit Pawar was one of Maharashtra’s most influential and controversial political figures. A seasoned administrator, he had served multiple terms in government and was a dominant force in Baramati’s political landscape, a constituency long associated with the Pawar family. Known for his grip over local governance, cooperative institutions, and infrastructure projects, Pawar played a decisive role in state politics for decades.

He was also the nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, founder of the NCP. In recent years, the relationship between uncle and nephew had come under intense political strain following a dramatic split within the party, reshaping Maharashtra’s power equations and triggering prolonged political uncertainty.

The news of Pawar’s death has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political circles, with reactions pouring in from across party lines. Senior leaders described the incident as a “devastating loss,” while supporters gathered in Baramati as the scale of the tragedy sank in.

The DGCA said the incident would be investigated in line with established aviation safety protocols. More information is expected as authorities piece together the final moments of the flight.

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