Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, along with four others, died in a plane crash near Baramati, Pune district, on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 8:45 am when the aircraft, a Learjet 45 with registration VT-SSK operated by VSR, was attempting an emergency landing at Baramati Airport.
Initial reports indicate that there were no survivors from the crash. Besides Ajit Pawar, the passengers included a personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members comprising the pilot-in-command and the first officer. Pawar was en route to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad Elections.
Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft appeared unstable as it descended before hitting the ground and erupting in flames. According to sources, the chartered jet hit the edge of the tabletop runway during its second attempt to land.
Following the tragic news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to get updates on the incident. Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar's cousin and daughter of Sharad Pawar, immediately left for Maharashtra. Numerous political leaders from across Maharashtra have gathered at the Pawar residence.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences, stating that Ajit Pawar's untimely demise is an irreparable loss, and he will be remembered for his contributions to the development of Maharashtra, particularly in the cooperative sector. Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra also conveyed their sorrow and condolences.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other officials are currently investigating the crash. Attention has been drawn to a 2023 aviation incident involving the same aircraft model, the Bombardier Learjet 45XR, although it involved a different small jet and a runway incursion in Mumbai.
Ajit Pawar's last post on X (formerly Twitter) was a tribute to freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, where he stated that Rai's patriotism would continue to inspire. Hours before the crash, Pawar had also posted about decisions made by the state government.
In light of the tragedy, the Maharashtra government has announced a three-day state mourning period.
