Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar among 5 killed in plane crash near Baramati; here is how it happened

Baramati: Sixty-six-year-old deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash near Baramati Airport at 8.45 am. Ajit Pawar was the nephew of Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar.

Five people, including the pilot and bodyguard, were killed when the chartered aircraft crashed during landing.

The Fatal Descent

The incident occurred at approximately 8:45 AM as the Learjet 45 (Registration: VT-SSK), operated by a Delhi-based charter firm, was attempting to touch down in Baramati.

Pawar had departed from Mumbai earlier that morning to attend a series of public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.

Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene as the aircraft reportedly veered off the runway, skidding into an open field before being engulfed in a massive fireball.

The Casualties:

Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Personal Security Officer (PSO) and one Attendant.

Two Crew Members (Pilot-in-Command and First Officer).

Emergency responders and local villagers rushed to the site, but officials confirmed there were no survivors. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a high-level probe into the technical cause of the crash.

The Legacy of "Dada"

Ajit Pawar, known widely as "Dada" (elder brother), leaves behind a legacy defined by administrative ruthlessness and a unique brand of "on-the-go" governance.

From Cooperatives to the Cabinet

Pawar’s political journey began in 1982 within the sugar cooperative sector of Western Maharashtra. By 1991, he had secured a seat in the Lok Sabha, which he famously vacated to allow his uncle, Sharad Pawar, to enter central politics. He later pivoted to the state assembly, representing his family stronghold of Baramati for over seven terms.

Maharashtra’s "Finance Man"

Holding the record for the most terms as Deputy Chief Minister (six non-consecutive tenures), Pawar was the engine of the state’s administration. He was particularly respected for his grip on the Finance and Water Resources portfolios, where he was known for fast-tracking landmark projects like the Pune Metro.

"He was a man of his word and a man of action. Whether you agreed with his politics or not, you could not ignore his impact on Maharashtra’s infrastructure," said a senior state bureaucrat.

A Master of Maneuver

Pawar’s career was punctuated by seismic shifts in the state’s political landscape:

The 2019 "Dawn Oath": His brief, 80-hour alliance with the BJP remains one of the most talked-about chapters in Indian political history.

The 2023 Split: He led a significant faction of the NCP to join the Eknath Shinde-led government, a move that eventually led to the Election Commission awarding him the party’s official name and "clock" symbol in early 2024.

A State in Mourning

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and leaders across the political spectrum have expressed deep shock. "We have lost a brother and an administrator who lived and breathed for the development of Maharashtra," the CM stated in a brief address.

A state funeral is expected to be held in Baramati tomorrow, where thousands are anticipated to gather to pay their final respects to the leader who, for many, was the face of modern Maharashtra's political grit.