By On January 28, 2026, a private jet carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati in Pune district. The aircraft went down during a landing attempt. All five people on board died.
The jet had taken off from Mumbai earlier that day. Pawar was travelling to Baramati for political meetings. Early reports say the plane caught fire while approaching the runway and exploded on impact. Emergency teams rushed to the site, but there were no survivors.
Ajit Pawar was 66 years old. He was a senior leader in Maharashtra politics and a key figure in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He had served multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister and wielded significant influence in state affairs, especially in rural regions.
News of his death triggered shock across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and several chief ministers expressed grief. Many leaders described Pawar as a strong administrator and a mass leader with decades of public service.
Authorities have launched a full investigation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and aviation officials are reviewing flight data, weather conditions, and aircraft records. The goal is to find the exact cause of the crash and rule out technical or human error.
The tragedy has also raised fresh concerns about the safety of VIP air travel in India. Opposition leaders and aviation experts are calling for tighter checks on charter aircraft and stricter safety rules for political travel.
Background
Ajit Pawar belonged to one of Maharashtra’s most influential political families. He played a major role in shaping state politics for years. His sudden death leaves a power vacuum within the NCP and could affect the balance of power in the state government.
The coming weeks are likely to see key political decisions as parties adjust to the loss of a senior leader.
Suggested Authoritative Sources
For verified updates and official statements, rely on:
- Reuters
- NDTV
- Times of India
- Indian Express
- Press Information Bureau (PIB)
