Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, died in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday morning while traveling to Baramati for political engagements. The chartered aircraft, a Learjet 45XR, crashed during its approach to Baramati airport, killing Pawar and all four others on board.
Flight Details and Crash Circumstances
The flight departed from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport early Wednesday, bound for Baramati in Pune district. As the aircraft began its final landing approach at around 08:44–08:48 IST, it lost control near the runway and burst into flames upon impact.
According to initial reports, poor visibility due to dense fog and challenging weather conditions may have complicated the landing attempt. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have launched an inquiry to determine whether weather or a technical issue caused the crash.
Victims of the Crash
All five people aboard the aircraft were killed. Those confirmed to have died include:
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Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
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Two pilots (including the captain and first officer)
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His personal security officer (PSO)
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A flight attendant/security staff member
No survivors were reported at the scene.
National and State Reactions
The crash has sent shockwaves across India and within Maharashtra’s political class. Top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are attending funeral rites in Baramati today.
Prime Minister Modi remembered Pawar as a “leader of the people” with strong grassroots connections and deep commitment to public service.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a three-day state mourning, with government offices closed, flags at half-mast, and no official entertainment events during the period.
Funeral and Final Rites
Ajit Pawar’s last rites were conducted with full state honours in his hometown of Baramati. Thousands of supporters, party cadres, and political figures gathered to pay their respects.
Legacy and Political Impact
Ajit Pawar was one of Maharashtra’s most seasoned politicians, having served as Deputy Chief Minister multiple times and played a pivotal role in state politics across different administrations. His sudden death leaves a significant power vacuum in both the Maharashtra government and his political party.
Across social and political spheres, many are recalling past air tragedies involving Indian leaders — including the deaths of Sanjay Gandhi (1980), Madhavrao Scindia (2001), Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (2009), and others — highlighting how aviation accidents have, sadly, intersected with political history in India. (Contextual historical references are widely discussed in news commentary.)
Ongoing Investigation
The DGCA and investigators are examining the aircraft’s black boxes, weather data, and flight communications to identify the exact cause of the disaster. Early reports indicate there was no mayday call before the crash, and teams are working to reconstruct flight events and assess whether equipment failure or human factors contributed.