Ajit Pawar Death Shocks Maharashtra After Fatal Aircraft Crash

Ajit Pawar Dead in Plane Crash: Maharashtra Loses a Power Centre Overnight

What crashed in Baramati on Wednesday morning wasn’t just a chartered jet — it was one of Maharashtra’s most influential political careers.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, 66, was killed when a Bombardier Learjet 45 carrying him and four others crash-landed at Baramati airfield on January 28, 2026. No one on board survived.

Within minutes, the news ripped through the state. By noon, Maharashtra was officially in mourning.

The Crash That Shook Baramati

The aircraft took off from Mumbai at 8:10 a.m., disappeared from radar around 8:45 a.m., and crashed at 8:50 a.m. while attempting to land. Aviation officials cited poor visibility near the runway as a key factor, though the final cause remains under investigation.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full probe, with teams already inspecting the crash site. CCTV footage from nearby areas shows the aircraft descending sharply moments before impact, followed by a massive explosion and fire.

Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address public meetings for the February 5 zilla parishad elections — work that ultimately became his last.

State Mourning, National Shock

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced three days of state mourning, cancelling all official events. Pawar’s funeral will be held with full State honours on January 29 at 11 a.m. at Vidya Pratishthan, Baramati.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend. Leaders from across party lines — allies, rivals, critics — all converged on one sentiment: Maharashtra has lost a pillar.

“Ajit Dada made big contributions to Maharashtra and India, especially in uplifting rural lives,” PM Modi said.

A Political Force for Decades

Ajit Pawar wasn’t just another deputy CM. He was a power centre.

For over three decades, he shaped Maharashtra’s politics — as a strategist, administrator, negotiator, and at times, a disruptor. Known for his iron grip on administration and numbers-driven governance, Pawar was a leader who came prepared, spoke bluntly, and delivered relentlessly.

From irrigation and finance to cooperative institutions and rural development, his influence ran deep — especially in Baramati, the political heartland of the Pawar family.

Just two days before his death, he sanctioned ₹22 crore for development projects in Beed district — now being described as his final administrative push.

Questions, Grief, and a Demand for Answers

As condolences poured in, questions followed.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, backed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe, alleging compromised investigative agencies.

While officials stress this was an accident, opposition leaders insist transparency is non-negotiable — especially given the stature of the person involved.

A Sudden Void

Ajit Pawar’s death has left Maharashtra politically stunned.

In Baramati, shops shut spontaneously. Crowds gathered outside hospitals and party offices. Senior leaders broke down on camera. Allies spoke of losing a friend; rivals acknowledged losing a formidable administrator.

“This is an irreparable loss,” President Droupadi Murmu said. “A void that will be hard to fill.”

What Remains

The wreckage will be examined.
The reports will be written.
The probe will run its course.

But one fact is already clear:
Maharashtra didn’t just lose a deputy chief minister — it lost a political constant.

Ajit Pawar’s career ended the way he lived it — on the move, mid-work, and at the centre of power.

The plane crashed.
The silence it left behind is far louder.