In a devastating blow to Maharashtra politics, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar perished early Wednesday morning, January 28, 2026, when the chartered Learjet 45 he was traveling in crashed during landing at Baramati airport in Pune district. All five people on board—the 66-year-old NCP leader, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members—died in the incident, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The crash occurred around 8:45-8:48 a.m. local time, shortly after takeoff from Mumbai, as Pawar headed to his home turf to campaign for upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.
This tragedy cuts short the life of one of Maharashtra’s most enduring—and polarizing—political figures, a man who dominated state politics for decades through sheer administrative grit and grassroots connections.
What Happened: Timeline of the Fatal Flight
The aircraft, registered VT-SSK and operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR Aviation, departed Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport around 8:10 a.m. Flight tracking data from sources like Flightradar24 shows it flew for roughly 35 minutes before the final approach to Baramati.
Eyewitness accounts and official reports paint a grim picture: the Learjet 45 attempted landing on runway 11 but veered off the side, crashing at the threshold. The plane reportedly made a noisy approach, slid off the runway, and burst into flames on impact. Videos circulating from the site show the wreckage split apart, thick black smoke rising, and emergency crews rushing in.
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware described it starkly: the aircraft went off the runway and exploded on crashing. Rescue teams recovered bodies amid the mangled debris—some reports initially noted six bodies recovered, but DGCA consistently confirms five fatalities with no survivors.
Pawar had left his Mumbai residence early to address four public rallies in Baramati ahead of the local body polls. Ironically, his family—uncle Sharad Pawar, cousin Supriya Sule, wife Sunetra Pawar, and son Parth—were in Delhi for Parliament’s budget session and rushed back upon hearing the news.
DGCA’s Official Statement and Investigation Outlook
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a clear, factual update soon after:
“Aircraft crash landed at Baramati. Ajit Pawar, Dy. CM, Maharashtra was onboard along with 2 more personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendant) and 2 crew (PIC+FO) members. As per initial information, no person on board has survived the crash.”
DGCA teams are en route to the site for a formal probe. Preliminary indicators point to loss of control during a possible go-around or second approach—Flightradar24 noted the plane disappeared from radar after attempting another landing. The Learjet 45, a mid-size business jet produced by Bombardier from 1995 to 2012, has a solid safety record overall, but incidents involving similar models (including one in Mumbai in 2023) remind us how unforgiving small-jet operations can be in marginal conditions.
No official cause has been released yet—weather, mechanical failure, pilot error, or a combination remain possibilities. Maharashtra’s aviation infrastructure, especially at smaller airstrips like Baramati (recently transitioned to state control), will come under scrutiny.
Political Shockwaves: A Power Broker’s Sudden End
Ajit Pawar—known simply as “Dada” in Baramati—was no ordinary politician. Born July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, he rose from humble beginnings after his father’s early death cut short his formal education (he completed SSC). He entered the Maharashtra Assembly in 1991 via by-election from Baramati, winning six more times.
His career peaked—and fractured—through bold moves. In 2019, he engineered a dramatic split in the Nationalist Congress Party, aligning with the BJP to become Deputy CM under Devendra Fadnavis. The Election Commission later awarded his faction the NCP name and symbol in 2024. Yet whispers of reconciliation with Sharad Pawar’s group had surfaced recently, especially after joint contests in local polls.
Pawar served as Deputy CM multiple times—under Prithviraj Chavan, Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde—making him one of the state’s longest-serving in that role. Critics called him opportunistic; supporters praised his hands-on governance, irrigation projects, and unfiltered connect with farmers and rural voters.
His death leaves a vacuum in Maharashtra’s ruling coalition and the NCP. CM Devendra Fadnavis, PM Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah have already reached out for updates. Tributes poured in across party lines—Congress leaders expressed shock, Shiv Sena (UBT) called it “heart-rending.”
PM Modi’s Condolences and National Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: “Saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality… Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families.”
Modi highlighted Pawar’s administrative acumen and passion for the underprivileged—words that resonate given Pawar’s decades-long focus on water resources and rural development.
Other reactions include condolences from Ghulam Nabi Azad, KC Venugopal, and even political rivals who acknowledged his commitment despite differences.
Family and Legacy: What Comes Next
The Pawar family is reeling. Shriniwas Pawar, Ajit’s brother, spoke of the immense sadness: “No one survived… We are all headed to Baramati. The last rites will be in Baramati.” Sunetra and Supriya Sule were en route from Delhi.
Ajit is survived by wife Sunetra and sons Jay and Parth. Parth, who has contested elections, may face pressure to step up amid the grief.
This isn’t just a personal loss—it’s a seismic shift for Baramati, a Pawar stronghold for generations. The constituency, long synonymous with Sharad and now Ajit, will mourn deeply.
Final Thoughts: A Stark Reminder of Fragility
In covering Maharashtra politics over the years, I’ve seen how figures like Ajit Pawar become fixtures—seemingly indestructible through scandals, splits, comebacks. Yet aviation accidents strip away that illusion in seconds. (Remember Madhavrao Scindia? Similar questions linger here.)
The investigation must be thorough and transparent—VIP charter safety protocols, Baramati’s runway standards, operator maintenance records. Maharashtra loses a towering, if controversial, leader; the nation loses another reminder that power offers no shield against tragedy.
Our thoughts remain with the families of all five victims. Ajit Pawar’s era ends abruptly, but his imprint on Maharashtra’s political and developmental map endures.
