Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar passed away on Wednesday morning after a chartered aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport, officials confirmed.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the crash resulted in the deaths of at least five people, including Ajit Pawar. Local authorities later indicated that all six individuals on board were brought dead to the hospital.
The aircraft, identified as Learjet 45 with registration number VT-SSK, was en route from Mumbai to Baramati when the incident occurred at around 8:45 am. According to Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware, the aircraft veered off the runway during landing and crashed. The airport is operated by a private entity and was recently transferred to the Maharashtra Airport Development Company.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to obtain updates on the situation, according to a statement quoted by news agency ANI.
Ajit Pawar’s brother, Shriniwas Pawar, told Hindustan Times that no one survived the crash. He added that Pawar’s son, Yugendra Pawar, is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Baramati. The family is travelling to Baramati, where the last rites are expected to be performed.
Kiran Gujar, a close aide of Ajit Pawar present at the local hospital, said that all six occupants, including the deputy chief minister, were declared dead on arrival.
The accident took place as Ajit Pawar was travelling to his hometown to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections.
A veteran political leader, Ajit Pawar entered the Lok Sabha in 1991 from the Baramati parliamentary constituency before vacating the seat for his uncle, Sharad Pawar. He went on to win the Baramati Assembly constituency seven times, beginning with a by-election victory in 1991, followed by successive wins in 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014.
Further details regarding the cause of the crash are awaited, and investigations are expected to be initiated by aviation authorities.
