Ajit Pawar no more: Maharashtra Deputy CM dies in Baramati plane crash

The crash occurred during landing at Baramati airport, around an hour after the aircraft took off from Mumbai at approximately 8 am.

Four others on board, including the pilot and Pawar’s security personnel, also lost their lives in the accident.

Ajit Pawar, who headed his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati for a political campaign.

Visuals from the crash site showed fire, thick plumes of smoke and scattered debris of the aircraft.

Mourning his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, "Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect.

"He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted on X, "Dada is no more!

"My dear friend and colleague, a mass leader with a strong people’s connect, Deputy Chief Minister Ajitdada Pawar lost his life in a plane accident. This is an extremely shocking, heart wrenching news. I’m numb. I do not have any words to express these devastating emotions. I have lost my brave friend with a huge heart. This is a tragic and personal loss for me. And it is irreparable loss!

"I pay my deep, humble, heartfelt respects to dear Dada. My deepest condolences to his entire family and NCP family. We stand together with them in sorrow and tough times. 4 more people lost lives in this accident. My condolences to their families too. We are with them. I’ve cancelled all my scheduled programs and will go to Baramati."

Pawar was the nephew of former Maharashtra Chief Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.

Ajit Pawar was one of Maharashtra’s most influential and controversial political figures, with a career spanning over three decades.

A six-time legislator from the Baramati constituency, he was considered the principal mass leader of the Pawar family after Sharad Pawar.

He served multiple terms as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and held key portfolios, most notably the Finance Department, earning a reputation as a tough administrator with strong control over the state’s political and bureaucratic machinery.

In 2023, Ajit Pawar led a vertical split in the Nationalist Congress Party and joined the BJP–Shiv Sena-led government under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, triggering a major realignment in Maharashtra politics.

Known for his blunt political style and grassroots influence in western Maharashtra, Pawar remained a central figure in state politics until his death.