In a devastating aviation incident that has sent shockwaves through India’s political landscape, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar perished alongside four others when his aircraft crash-landed at Baramati airport on Monday. The prominent politician was returning to his constituency when the tragedy occurred.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed the aircraft departed Mumbai and encountered fatal complications during its approach to Baramati, located approximately 250 kilometers southeast of the state capital. While official investigation into the precise cause remains ongoing, distressing visuals from the crash site depicted smoldering wreckage consumed by flames and thick smoke.
Among the deceased were two members of Pawar’s personal staff and both crew members, all of whom perished instantly upon impact. The aviation regulator has initiated a comprehensive probe to determine the technical and operational factors that led to this catastrophic failure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the incident, posting on social media platform X: ‘I am deeply saddened by the tragic news from Baramati. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment of profound grief.’ In a separate tribute, the Prime Minister honored Pawar’s significant contributions to public service.
Ajit Pawar, nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar who founded the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was one of Maharashtra’s most influential figures. His political career spanned several decades, during which he held the deputy chief minister position multiple times. In a notable political maneuver several years ago, he fractured his uncle’s party by leading a splinter group of lawmakers to form a new faction that eventually gained official recognition as the NCP from India’s Election Commission. His party maintained an alliance with Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party within Maharashtra’s governing coalition.
The sudden demise of this powerful political operator has created immediate uncertainty in Maharashtra’s political equilibrium, with analysts anticipating significant realignments within the state’s power structure.