On January 28, 2026, Maharashtra and Indian politics lost one of its most influential and enduring figures when Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar perished in a devastating plane crash near Baramati Airport in Pune district. The 66-year-old leader, fondly known as “Ajit Dada” across the state, was traveling on a chartered Bombardier Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) from Mumbai to his home turf of Baramati when the aircraft crashed during its landing attempt around 8:45 AM. All five people on board—Pawar, two crew members (pilot and co-pilot), and two staff/security personnel—lost their lives in the incident, which involved the plane skidding off the runway, bursting into flames, and exploding shortly after impact.
Preliminary reports from aviation authorities indicate the pilot faced low visibility, attempted a go-around after failing to sight the runway during the first approach, circled, and then proceeded with a second landing clearance. Tragically, the aircraft did not respond to air traffic control after receiving final clearance, leading to the fatal crash just 200 meters from the runway’s edge. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), has launched a transparent probe to determine the exact cause, including possible factors like weather, mechanical failure, or human error. Eyewitnesses described intense flames and multiple explosions, making rescue efforts impossible.
Ajit Pawar, born in 1959, was the nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar and rose through the ranks of the cooperative movement in western Maharashtra. He entered electoral politics in the early 1990s, winning from Baramati—a seat long associated with the Pawar family—and built an unassailable grassroots base among farmers, sugar cooperatives, and rural voters. Over decades, he served multiple terms as a legislator, held key portfolios like finance, planning, and irrigation, and earned a reputation as a pragmatic administrator focused on infrastructure, water projects, and development in regions like Pimpri-Chinchwad and Baramati.
His political journey was marked by bold moves and occasional controversies. In 2019, he briefly aligned with the BJP in a dramatic overnight switch that briefly toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, only to return to the fold. The defining moment came in 2023 when he rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar, splitting the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and claiming the “real” NCP banner with the support of most MLAs. Aligning with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, Ajit Pawar’s faction delivered strong performances in the 2024 assembly elections, cementing his role as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister under CM Devendra Fadnavis. He was seen as a bridge between development-oriented politics and rural empowerment, often prioritizing pragmatic governance over ideological rigidity.
The news of his death sent shockwaves across the country. Maharashtra declared January 28 a public holiday, with three days of state mourning. Schools, colleges, and government offices shut down as grief gripped the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the loss as “untimely and deeply shocking,” praising Pawar’s grassroots connect and passion for the underprivileged. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Rahul Gandhi, Farooq Abdullah, Mamata Banerjee, and many others paid tributes, highlighting his administrative acumen and secular outlook. Sharad Pawar, arriving in Baramati, expressed profound sorrow, calling the incident heartbreaking and urging against politicization. He rejected conspiracy theories, emphasizing it as a tragic accident.
Public reaction was overwhelming. In Baramati, supporters gathered in large numbers, chanting “Ajit Dada amar rahe” (Ajit Dada is immortal) as mortal remains arrived for last respects at Vidya Pratishthan. Slogans of disbelief and calls for his “return” echoed among mourners. The last rites, with full state honors, took place on January 29 at Vidya Pratishthan ground, attended by top leaders including Modi and Shah.
Ajit Pawar’s sudden passing leaves a massive vacuum in Maharashtra’s political landscape. His NCP faction now faces uncertainty about leadership succession, with speculation around figures like his wife Sunetra Pawar or other close aides. It also halts any potential reconciliation with Sharad Pawar’s group, which had been rumored in recent months. The Mahayuti government remains stable numerically, but losing such a towering deputy CM and rural mobilizer will reshape dynamics ahead of local body polls.
Ajit Pawar was more than a politician—he was a symbol of Maharashtra’s ambitious, hard-nosed development politics. His death at the peak of his influence reminds us of life’s fragility and the enduring impact one leader can have on a state’s destiny. Maharashtra mourns not just a man, but an era he defined.
