A leading Indian politician is among five people who di£d after a horror plane crash this morning, Jan. 28.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also serves as a senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, was k!lled after the aircraft came down near Baramati, India, on Wednesday morning.
Four others, including two pilots and his security staff, also lost their lives in the tragedy.
The Learjet 45 jet, operated by private firm VSR, took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and went off radar around 8.45 am.
Officials said the plane crashed while attempting a second landing near Baramati airport, erupting in flames on impact.
According to witnesses, the aircraft appeared to lose control seconds before touching down, plunging nearly 100 feet short of the runway.
Emergency crews rushed to the site, but all five occupants were declared de@d within minutes. Pawar, 66, was travelling to attend a series of public meetings ahead of next month’s local body elections.
Images from the crash site showed mangled wreckage, smoke, and ambulances carrying victims to nearby hospitals. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described Pawar’s death as “shocking and saddening”.
He said: “Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra.
“His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” Modi tweeted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the loss as “deeply pained” and a personal blow.
“The news of the loss of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and our senior NDA colleague Ajit Pawar ji in a tragic accident has left my heart deeply distressed,” Shah said.
“The way Ajit Pawar ji dedicated himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three and a half decades cannot be expressed in words. Whenever we met, he would engage in long discussions on numerous issues related to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. His passing is a personal loss not only for the NDA family but also for me.
“I express my deepest condolences to the Pawar family. In this hour of grief, the entire NDA stands firmly with the bereaved Pawar family. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet,” Shah added.
Ajit Pawar had served multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister under leaders including Prithviraj Chavan, Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde, and Devendra Fadnavis. In 2023, he led a rebellion that split the NCP, later joining the NDA government as Deputy CM.
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh said Pawar had remained dedicated to Maharashtra’s growth throughout his career. “Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar,” Rajnath said on social media.
“Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed grief, calling the tragedy “profoundly distressing” before adding: “The tragic demise of Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash, is deeply shocking. It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead.
“No words can adequately express the immense grief that the bereaved family must be enduring during this difficult hour. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Pawar family, his supporters and well-wishers.
“Having served the people of Maharashtra in various constitutional capacities, Shri Ajit Pawar shall be remembered as a seasoned politocian who discharged his responsibilities towards his people with sincerity and astuteness. May his soul rest in peace.”
