Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies- Tragedy strikes Maharashtra politics as the NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister dies in a fiery crash moments before landing in his stronghold.
In a catastrophic loss for Maharashtra politics, Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar died this morning after his chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land in Baramati. He was 66.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 8:45 AM, killing all five on board, including two pilots and two aides. The aircraft, a Learjet 45 (Registration VT-SSK) operated by New Delhi-based VSR Ventures, reportedly veered off the runway during its descent and was immediately engulfed in flames.
The Final Moments (Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Tragic Plane Crash)
According to preliminary reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight was en route from Mumbai to Baramati, where Pawar was scheduled to address a series of crucial public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.
Eyewitnesses near the Baramati airstrip described a harrowing scene. “The plane seemed unstable as it approached. It touched down hard, swerved violently off the tarmac, and exploded into a ball of fire,” said a local resident. Despite the immediate response of fire tenders and emergency services, the intensity of the blaze left no chance for rescue.
Key Details of the Crash:
- Aircraft: Bombardier Learjet 45XR (VT-SSK)
- Operator: VSR Ventures
- Casualties: Ajit Pawar, his Personal Security Officer (PSO), an attendant, and two pilots.
- Status: No survivors confirmed by Pune District Administration.
Questions Raised on Safety
This incident has cast a spotlight on aviation safety protocols for non-scheduled operators. Notably, this is the second major incident involving VSR Ventures in recent years; another aircraft from the same operator crash-landed at Mumbai airport in September 2023. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has ordered an immediate high-level probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
A massive Political Void
Ajit Pawar, affectionately known as ‘Dada’ (elder brother) in political circles, was a titan of Maharashtra’s cooperative sector and a seven-time MLA from Baramati. His passing leaves a vacuum in the Mahayuti alliance and the state’s power dynamics.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of Shri Ajit Pawar Ji. He was a grassroots leader who dedicated his life to the development of Maharashtra. My condolences to his family and millions of supporters,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Leaders across party lines, including cousin Supriya Sule and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, have rushed to Baramati. Thousands of grieving supporters have already begun gathering outside his ancestral home, leading to tight security deployment in the district.
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The Road Ahead
As the state mourns, questions regarding the future leadership of the NCP faction and the impact on the state government loom large. For now, Maharashtra has lost one of its most dynamic and controversial administrators.
The mortal remains are expected to be kept for public darshan at the Vidya Pratisthan ground later today.
Takeaway: Aviation safety for VIP charters demands urgent scrutiny. The recurrence of accidents with specific operators highlights a systemic gap that Indian aviation regulators must plug immediately to prevent further loss of national leadership.
