A major tragedy has struck Indian politics and Maharashtra on January 28, 2026, as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Anantrao Pawar lost his life in a devastating plane crash in Baramati, Pune district. Multiple credible news sources confirm that the aircraft carrying Pawar and others crashed while attempting to land, killing everyone on board.
According to initial reports, the Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK), which was chartered from Mumbai, was en route to Baramati where Pawar was scheduled to address several public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45-8:48 a.m. near the runway threshold at Baramati airport, when the aircraft attempted an emergency landing and went down in flames.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and local authorities confirmed that all five people on board were killed in the crash, including:
• Ajit Pawar — Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader.
• Two pilots — including the pilot-in-command and the first officer.
• Personal security officer and an attendant traveling with Pawar.
There were no survivors, and emergency crews found the aircraft wreckage scattered across an open field. Smoke and fire were visible at the site, and debris indicated a violent impact.
Ajit Pawar was a towering figure in Maharashtra politics and one of the state’s longest-serving legislators and administrators. A nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar held key portfolios including Finance, Planning, Water Resources, Energy and Rural Development during his extensive career. Known as a seasoned strategist and financial architect of Maharashtra’s budgets, he was highly respected across party lines and within the cooperative sector.
His sudden death has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra and national political circles, with leaders and citizens expressing deep grief. Condolences poured in from across the country, including from prominent political figures. Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their sons Parth and Jay.
Eyewitness accounts and preliminary information suggest that the aircraft experienced difficulties during its approach or landing phase, prompting an attempted emergency landing. However, the plane crashed near the runway and immediately caught fire, leaving no chance for survival.
The DGCA has launched a formal investigation into the crash to determine the exact cause, which will examine technical factors, weather conditions, aircraft maintenance records and flight data. Authorities have not yet released a definitive explanation.
Ajit Pawar’s death marks one of the most tragic losses in recent Indian political history. His influence on Maharashtra’s governance, policy direction and fiscal management stretched over decades, making his absence a profound loss for the state. The nation remembers him not just as a political leader but as a seasoned administrator whose contributions shaped financial and developmental priorities in Maharashtra.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing, and updates are expected as more information becomes available from aviation authorities and investigators.
