The Final Flight: Decoding the Tragic Demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar at 66!

Ajit Pawar (1959–2026): The Tragic End of Maharashtra’s ‘Dada’ in Baramati Plane Crash!

In a tragic turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the country, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar passed away on January 28, 2026, in a plane crash in Baramati. The veteran leader was en route to his hometown for a series of political rallies when the private aircraft encountered technical difficulties.

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Ajit Pawar Dies in Tragic Plane Crash: A National Loss for Maharashtra Politics

The political landscape of Maharashtra has lost one of its most influential and administrative powerhouses. Ajit Anantrao Pawar, the 66-year-old Deputy Chief Minister and chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was killed when his Learjet 45 (Registration: VT-SSK) crash-landed near the Baramati airport.

1. Details of the Crash

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at approximately 8:45 AM.

• The Flight: The aircraft, operated by VSR, took off from Mumbai at 8:00 AM heading for Baramati.
• The Accident: According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilot attempted an emergency landing due to a technical snag. However, the plane lost control, skidded off the runway, and burst into flames.
• Casualties: Tragically, all five people on board were killed. This included Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and the two crew members (the pilot-in-command and the first officer).

2. Reactions and Tributes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the first to express their grief.

"Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people with strong grassroots connect. His understanding of administrative matters was unparalleled." — PM Narendra Modi

State leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have declared a state of mourning. His cousin, Supriya Sule, and uncle, Sharad Pawar, rushed to Pune immediately following the news.

3. Ajit Pawar’s Lasting Legacy

Ajit Pawar, often called "Ajit Dada," was the backbone of rural development in Western Maharashtra.

• Administrative Grit: He holds the record for being the longest-serving Deputy CM of Maharashtra, having served six non-consecutive terms.
• The Baramati Transformation: Under his leadership, Baramati became a global model for agricultural and industrial development.
• Final Post: Just an hour before the crash, Pawar had posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter) to freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary.