Official Government Statement
Baramati has fallen silent. In a catastrophic event that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of power in Mumbai and Delhi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died today (January 28, 2026) in a plane crash along with four other people. The aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45, crashed just short of the runway at Baramati Airport amid heavy unseasonal rains, marking a dark day in the history of Indian politics.
The Final Flight: Reconstruction of Events
The sequence of tragic events began at approximately 11:45 AM IST, when the chartered aircraft (Registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures took off from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The flight plan was routine—a short 35-minute hop to Baramati, the Pawar family's stronghold, where Ajit Pawar was scheduled to address a series of meetings regarding upcoming local body elections.
According to Air Traffic Control (ATC) logs, the flight proceeded normally until it began its descent into the Pune district. Meteorological reports indicate that a localized weather system had created "microburst" conditions near the airfield, severely reducing visibility to less than 800 meters.
Aviation experts suggest the pilot, Captain Sumit Kapoor, may have attempted a "go-around"—a standard safety maneuver where a pilot aborts a landing to climb back up and circle for another attempt. Flight radar data shows the aircraft descending to 2,000 feet, then abruptly banking left before disappearing from the radar at 12:30 PM IST. It is believed the aircraft clipped a high-tension power line or a tree canopy roughly 1.5 kilometers from the runway threshold.
Ground Zero: "A Ball of Fire"
Visuals from the crash site broadcast by local Marathi news channels depicted a scene of devastation. The wreckage was strewn across a sugarcane field, engulfed in thick, black plumes of smoke. The fuselage had broken into two primary sections, with the tail section relatively intact but the cockpit and cabin incinerated by the impact and subsequent fuel fire.
Eyewitness Account
"I was working in the field when I heard a screaming engine noise, very loud, unlike the usual planes. It came down at a steep angle. There was a deafening bang, and within seconds, a ball of fire rose up. We ran towards it with buckets of water, but the heat was too intense. We could see... remains."
— Ramesh Shinde, Local Farmer (via ANI)Police and fire tenders from the Baramati MIDC rushed to the spot within 15 minutes. Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill confirmed that locals had attempted heroic rescue efforts, but the intensity of the aviation fuel fire rendered survival impossible. Police were later seen requesting blankets from nearby homes to cover the charred remains of the victims.
Casualties Identified
Authorities have confirmed five fatalities. There were no survivors. The bodies have been moved to the Government Medical College in Baramati for post-mortem and formal identification, though officials state identification may require DNA testing due to the severity of the burns.
| Name | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ajit Pawar | Deputy CM | Aged 66. Traveling for election campaign. |
| Vidhip Jadhav | Security Officer | Personal Security Officer (PSO) assigned to VIP duty. |
| Pinky Mali | Flight Attendant | Experienced cabin crew with VSR Ventures. |
| Capt. Sumit Kapoor | Pilot in Command | Senior pilot with over 5,000 flying hours. |
| Capt. Shambhavi Pathak | Co-Pilot | Recently cleared for Learjet 45 command operations. |
Analysis: A Massive Political Vacuum
The death of Ajit Pawar creates an immediate and volatile vacuum in Maharashtra's politics. Known as the "Maratha Strongman," he was the linchpin of the current Mahayuti alliance, bridging the gap between the BJP and his faction of the NCP.
The NCP Question: With his passing, questions immediately arise regarding the leadership of his NCP faction. Will his supporters return to the parent party led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar? Or will a new leader emerge from within? Political analysts point to his son, Parth Pawar, as the likely political heir, though his previous electoral defeat in Maval makes his succession complex.
Impact on Sugar Cooperatives: Ajit Pawar controlled a vast network of cooperative sugar factories and district banks in Western Maharashtra. His administrative grip on these institutions was absolute. His absence could lead to a restructuring of power dynamics in the state's rural economy.
Life & Legacy: The Rise of 'Dada'
Born on July 22, 1959, Ajit Anantrao Pawar was the nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar. Unlike many dynasty politicians who remain in the shadows, Ajit carved a niche for himself as a man of action. He was known for his 6:00 AM meetings, brisk decision-making, and blunt speech.
He began his career in the cooperative sector in 1982. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991 from Baramati but vacated the seat for his uncle, moving to state politics. Since then, he represented the Baramati Assembly constituency uninterrupted for over three decades.
His career was not without controversy. The alleged irrigation scam and his dramatic early-morning swearing-in with Devendra Fadnavis in 2019 were flashpoints. However, his "rebellion" in 2023, where he split the NCP and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government, was his boldest political gamble—one that defined his final years.
Reactions: A Nation Mourns
The tragedy has united political rivals in grief.
"I have lost a colleague, a friend, and a younger brother. Ajit Dada’s administrative acumen was unmatched. He lived for Maharashtra and died while serving it."
"Deeply saddened. My condolences to the Pawar family. Ajit Pawar was a grassroots leader who understood the pulse of the farmer."
The Pawar Family: Sources close to the family say NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar is devastated. Despite the political split, the personal bond remained. Supriya Sule, his cousin, was seen rushing to Baramati hospital, visibly in tears.
Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT) stated: "We had our differences, but Dada was the backbone of state politics. Today, the Vidhan Bhavan has lost its most commanding voice."
State Funeral Arrangements
The Maharashtra Cabinet has passed a resolution to accord a Full State Funeral to the departed leader.
- Mourning Period: January 28 to January 30 (3 Days).
- Public Holiday: Tomorrow, schools and government offices will remain closed.
- Last Rites: The mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at the Baramati NCP office tomorrow morning. The cremation is expected to take place at the Baramati Crematorium tomorrow evening with full police honors, including a 21-gun salute.