The Sun Sets Over Baramati: Ajit Pawar Dies in Tragic Air Crash
Maharashtra woke up to devastating news on Wednesday (Jan 28) morning as Ajit Pawar, the state's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Finance and Planning, was killed in a chartered plane crash. The 66-year-old Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, a titan of Maharashtra politics, met his end in his home turf of Baramati.
The accident occurred around 8:45 AM on January 28, 2026. Pawar had departed from Mumbai earlier that morning, where he had spent Tuesday attending a high-level meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
He was en route to Baramati to address a rally for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. According to aviation officials, the chartered Learjet 45 carrying five people, including Pawar, his personal staff, and the crew, crashed during its landing attempt. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft may have faced technical difficulties or visibility issues before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. There were no survivors.
A Record-Breaking Political Journey
Ajit Pawar's passing marks the end of an era. Known affectionately as "Dada," he was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister in the state's history, serving a record six terms under various administrations.
- 1982: Began his journey in the cooperative sector.
- 1991: Elected to the Lok Sabha, though he soon vacated the seat for his uncle, Sharad Pawar.
- Legislative Legacy: He served as an MLA for over three decades, becoming a cornerstone of the state's financial and cooperative sectors.
State in Mourning
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared three days of mourning across Maharashtra in honour of the late leader. Outside hospitals in Baramati, massive crowds of emotional supporters gathered, reflecting the deep grassroots connection Pawar maintained throughout his career.
Tributes have poured in from across the nation. President Droupadi Murmu shared her condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
"Pawar will always be remembered for his special contribution to the development of Maharashtra, especially in the cooperative sector. My deepest condolences to his family, supporters, and admirers."
Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra, and his two sons. His death leaves a significant void in the political landscape of Maharashtra, particularly within the NCP and the cooperative movements he championed for over 40 years. where he always wanted to be: among his people, working for the land he called home.