Maharashtra: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday. It is learnt that Pawar was travelling along with four other individuals on board the aircraft (Ajit Pawar plane crash).
According to reports, the accident occurred while the aircraft was attempting to land in the Baramati area of Pune. Following the crash, emergency rescue operations were immediately launched at the airport and in nearby areas. Visuals from the accident site show debris scattered across the ground. Flames were seen rising from the aircraft, along with thick smoke. The aircraft involved in the crash was an LJ45 plane.
According to information provided by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, a total of five people have died in the plane crash.
Sixty-six-year-old Ajit Pawar had attended a cabinet meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday and thereafter departed for Baramati in Pune. He was reportedly travelling to Baramati to participate in several meetings related to the upcoming local body elections. These included preparations for the district council elections scheduled to be held on February 5. However, before any of the planned programmes could take place, the tragic accident occurred.
According to available information, Ajit Pawar was travelling in a privately operated chartered aircraft. However, authorities have not yet released any clear information regarding the exact cause of the crash or how the incident occurred.
Reports received after the accident stated that Supriya Sule, his wife Sunetra Pawar, and his son Parth Pawar were preparing to travel from Delhi to Baramati. Prior to this, they were reportedly present together at Sharad Pawar’s residence.
About Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in December 2024. Until his death, he was serving as Deputy Chief Minister alongside Eknath Shinde. Pawar had held the position of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a long period. He served in the cabinets led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
Notably, Pawar entered politics in 1982 after being elected to the managing committee of a cooperative-based sugar factory. In 1991, he was elected to Parliament from the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency as a candidate of the Indian National Congress. He later vacated the seat for his uncle Sharad Pawar. In the 1991 by-election, Ajit Pawar won from the Baramati Assembly constituency as a Congress candidate. He was re-elected from the same constituency in 1995.
In the subsequent years, he was elected from the Baramati Assembly constituency as an NCP candidate in the Assembly elections of 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024. From 1991 to 1992, Pawar served as Agriculture and Energy Minister in the cabinet led by Sudhakarrao Naik. In 1992, under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, he served as Minister of State for Soil Conservation, Energy, and Planning. In 1999, in the Congress–NCP coalition government, he was appointed Cabinet Minister for the Irrigation Department. In 2004, he served as Minister for the Water Resources Department.
In 2019, Ajit Pawar left the NCP and joined the BJP-led government, becoming Deputy Chief Minister. However, this government collapsed within a short period.
Significantly, Ajit Pawar later claimed that he had the support of the majority of NCP legislators and asserted his claim over the party presidency, the party name, and the election symbol. On February 7, 2024, the Election Commission of India granted the NCP name and election symbol to the faction led by Ajit Pawar. Following this, the Election Commission announced that the faction led by Sharad Pawar would be known as NCP (Sharad Pawar).
Prime Minister Expresses Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In a condolence message, he said,
“Ajit Pawar was a leader with strong grassroots connections. He was widely respected as a hardworking individual who consistently remained at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His deep understanding of administrative matters and his sincere commitment to empowering the poor and backward sections were particularly noteworthy. His untimely death has caused profound sorrow. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and countless admirers.”
The Prime Minister further stated,
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred in Baramati, Maharashtra. My condolences are with all the families who have lost their loved ones in this accident. In this moment of deep grief, I pray that God grants strength and courage to the bereaved families.”
Home Minister Amit Shah Expresses Grief
Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over Ajit Pawar’s death. In a condolence message, he said,
“The news of losing Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and our senior NDA colleague Ajit Pawar in a tragic accident today has deeply pained me. The manner in which Ajit Pawar devoted himself completely to the welfare of all sections of Maharashtra for over three and a half decades is difficult to describe in words. Whenever I met him, we had long discussions on various issues concerning the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. His passing is a personal loss for me as well as for the NDA family.
I extend my deepest condolences to the Pawar family. In this moment of grief, the entire NDA stands firmly with the bereaved Pawar family. May God grant eternal peace to the departed soul.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Expresses Grief
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a condolence message,
“The news of the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash has deeply saddened me. A leader rooted in the soil, my friend and colleague, I have lost a strong and kind-hearted friend. This is a personal loss for me that can never be filled. This incident is extremely tragic for Maharashtra.
I pay my heartfelt tribute to Ajit Dada. We will all stand together with him and the Nationalist Congress Party family in this time of grief.”
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma Expresses Condolences
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a condolence message,
“The news of the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the unfortunate plane crash that occurred this morning has deeply saddened me. He was an experienced leader who dedicated his life to public service and the welfare of the people. He has left a lasting impact through his contributions to governance and development in his state. In this moment of deep sorrow, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, supporters, and the people of Maharashtra.”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Expresses Grief
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also expressed grief over Ajit Pawar’s death. In his condolence message, he said,
“Today, a mountain of sorrow has fallen upon Maharashtra. It is an extremely painful and tragic day. The news of the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has deeply affected the entire state as well as me personally. Today, we have lost a generous, simple, efficient, studious, and outspoken leader. As an MLA, MP, and minister, Ajit Dada built a long and distinguished political career through his competence. Over the past 40 years, he maintained a strong influence in the political arena.”
In addition, President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have also expressed deep condolences over the death of Ajit Pawar.