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Tragedy in Maharashtra: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Killed in Baramati Plane Crash
MUMBAI – Maharashtra’s political landscape was thrown into a state of shock on Wednesday morning following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The veteran leader, a cornerstone of state politics for over three decades, was killed when his private charter aircraft crashed and erupted in flames during an attempted emergency landing in his home bastion of Baramati.
The twin-engine Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures, was ferrying Pawar from Mumbai to Baramati for a series of local election campaign meetings. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft went down in an open field approximately 254km from the state capital at 8:30 am local time. Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions before the wreckage was consumed by a fierce blaze, claiming the lives of Pawar, his personal security officer, an aide, and two crew members.
A Political Titan of the “Sugar Belt”
Ajit Pawar, 66, was far more than a deputy minister; he was the primary architect of the modern administrative machinery in Maharashtra. Born on July 22, 1959, he was the nephew of veteran strongman Sharad Pawar. While he began his journey in the shadow of his uncle, Ajit—familiarly known as “Dada” (elder brother) by his supporters—carved out a distinct identity as a relentless, “no-nonsense” administrator.
His influence was centered in the state’s prosperous “sugar belt,” a region where he commanded absolute loyalty from rural voters and cooperative institutions. Since his first election to the Legislative Assembly in 1991, Pawar represented the Baramati constituency for a record eight consecutive terms. His reputation for punctuality and his ability to clear files with unprecedented speed made him a favorite among bureaucrats, even as his blunt rhetorical style occasionally stirred controversy.
The Architect of Realpolitik
Pawar’s career was defined by high-stakes political maneuvering. Though he spent the majority of his career within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), his later years were marked by a dramatic shift toward realpolitik. In 2023, he orchestrated a seismic split within the NCP, breaking away from his uncle to align with the BJP-led Maha Yuti coalition.
The move was a masterstroke of political survival and ambition. By February 2024, the Election Commission of India officially recognized his faction as the “real” NCP, granting him the party name and symbol. This allowed him to serve his sixth term as Deputy Chief Minister, solidifying his role as a kingmaker who could bridge the gap between rural agrarian interests and the urban developmental goals of the BJP.
Legacy of Development and Clouds of Controversy
Pawar’s legacy is physically etched into the infrastructure of Maharashtra. He is credited with the radical transformation of the Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial corridor and the modernization of Baramati, turning it into a model town with world-class civic facilities, wider roads, and educational hubs.
However, his career was not without its shadows. He faced intense scrutiny over the “irrigation scam,” involving alleged irregularities in contract awards during his tenure as water resources minister. More recently, he was linked to land-related controversies in Pune. While Pawar consistently denied these allegations and government inquiries remained inconclusive, the “tough-as-nails” persona he projected often served as a shield against his critics.
The Fatal Descent
The investigation into the crash is now the top priority for the DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Initial reports suggest the aircraft encountered technical difficulties shortly before its scheduled arrival.
“The aircraft was 100 percent safe and the crew was highly experienced,” stated VK Singh, Director of VSR Ventures, though he admitted the cause of the sudden descent remains a mystery. Investigators are currently recovering the flight data recorder (black box) from the charred remains of the fuselage to determine if engine failure or weather conditions played a role.
National Tributes
Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum, reflecting Pawar’s reach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his devastation, calling Pawar a “leader of the people” with a “strong grassroots connect.” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, visibly shaken, described the loss as personal, stating he had lost a “generous friend and a pillar of the state government.”
As Maharashtra enters a period of mourning, the sudden vacuum left by Ajit Pawar’s death raises urgent questions about the future of the NCP and the stability of the state’s ruling coalition ahead of upcoming elections.
