Ajit Pawar dies in Baramati plane crash. Photos: X.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life on Wednesday when the aircraft he was travelling in crashed near his home turf in Baramati. According to the reports, the Learjet 45, chartered from Mumbai, crash-landed at Baramati airport around 8:45 am while en route from Mumbai.
Videos from the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in flames with multiple explosions, leaving the plane severely damaged and making immediate visual identification difficult.
Rescue teams and local police reached the site within minutes, but tragically, none of the five people on board survived. The passengers included Ajit Pawar, two personal staff members, and two crew members.
Also Read: From Ajit Pawar To Sanjay Gandhi: Top Indian Politicians Who Lost Their Lives In Plane Crashes
Ajit Pawar’s identity was later confirmed at the crash site through his wristwatch. The identification process was aided by forensic teams who assisted with recovery and formal identification. According to reports, the remains have been sent for further examination in line with standard protocol.
“The confirmation of his identity has come as a deep shock to everyone here,” agencied reported.
Ajit Pawar was a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a dominant political figure in Baramati. Over decades, he had been actively involved in state and local governance, particularly in infrastructure development and cooperative sector initiatives.
He was also known for his complex political relationship with his uncle, Sharad Pawar, which had contributed to divisions within the NCP in recent years. His death marks a significant loss for the party and the region.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis on Wednesday announced a state holiday and three days of mourning following the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash this morning.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadanvis said that the decision on Pawar’s last rites will be made after consulting his family.
The Chief Minister said, “Today we have declared a state holiday, and three days of state mourning have also been announced. This is a completely irreparable loss for the whole state of Maharashtra.”
Mourning Ajit Pawar’s demise, Fadnavis said that there is a “wave of sorrow” across Maharashtra. He recalled Pawar as a hardworking leader and noted his contributions to the state.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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