Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dies in private plane crash
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed when a private Learjet 45 crashed near Baramati, prompting state mourning and investigations.
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A tragic aviation accident claimed the life of Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, on January 28, 2026, when the Learjet 45 aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting an approach to Baramati Airport in western India. The crash also killed all four other people on board, and emergency teams found no survivors after the wreckage burst into flames.
Pawar was a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a prominent political figure in Maharashtra’s government. News of his sudden death sparked shock and grief across the state, triggering a period of official mourning and condolences from political leaders and citizens alike.
The aircraft accident is being probed by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to determine the exact cause, with initial reports suggesting that poor visibility and other environmental factors may have played a role. The loss of Pawar — widely known as “Ajit Dada” — marks a significant moment in Maharashtra politics, with upcoming local elections adding urgency to the leadership transition discussions.
