Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Learjet 45XR Crash During Landing at Baramati Airport, All On Board Perish; Officials Launch Full Investigation
Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior leader Ajit
Pawar was confirmed dead on Wednesday morning after the aircraft carrying
him crash-landed near Baramati airport in Pune district, according to
officials and aviation authorities. Pawar, 66, one of the state’s most
influential political figures, along with all four others on board, including
two crew members and two of his aides, perished in the crash, the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed.
Immediate chaos unfolded at Baramati when the Bombardier
Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK), chartered from Mumbai, attempted
to land around 8:48 am and crash-landed close to the runway threshold before
bursting into flames, leaving no survivors, officials and eyewitnesses told
news agencies.
State Response and Mourning:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced three-day state
mourning following the tragic incident and said he, along with Deputy CM
Eknath Shinde, was heading to Baramati to coordinate with local authorities
and Pawar’s family.
“This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the
entire state,” said Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, describing Pawar’s
death as “very sad and unfortunate” and confirming that a thorough probe
into the crash will be undertaken.
National Reaction:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and
other national leaders expressed shock and grief over Pawar’s untimely death,
acknowledging his decades-long contribution to Maharashtra’s governance and
grassroots politics.
President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the tragedy,
calling it an irreparable loss and praised Pawar’s contribution to the
cooperative sector and state development.
Crash Details and Victims:
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was carrying:
- Ajit
Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- Vidit
Jadhav, Personal Security Officer
- Pinky
Mali, Attendant
- Sumit
Kapur and Shambhavi Pathak, pilots
All on board died when the aircraft crash-landed and caught fire near the runway.
Airport authorities said rescue efforts were immediately
launched, but intense fire and explosion hampered initial response. A team from
the DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Board has been dispatched to
examine the crash site and begin a detailed probe.
Legacy of Ajit Pawar:
Ajit Pawar was a prominent political leader and a veteran administrator in
Maharashtra’s political landscape, having served multiple terms as deputy chief
minister under various governments. He was known for his strong organisational presence in the cooperative sector and his influence across rural and
urban constituencies.
His sudden passing marks a significant political moment
for the state, prompting discussions on succession, governance continuity, and
the political impact ahead of upcoming local elections.
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