Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash: What We Know So Far
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has died in a plane crash Tuesday January 28, 2026
Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has died in a plane crash Tuesday January 28, 2026.
Ajit Pawar, popularly known as Ajit Dada, was travelling in his private jet Learjet 45 when the crash took place near his home town Baramati. The tragic accident is reported to have taken place around 08.45 am Tuesday.
Ajit Pawar's Plane
The business jet, which belonged to VSR Ventures, was earlir met with an accident in 2023.
Along with Ajit Pawar, 04 others onboard, including the pilot, have also died. The aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed, plane tracker, Flightradar24, said.
The plane reportedly lost control and crashed while landing at Baramati Airport. The aircraft caught fire after the crash.
The aircraft, Bombardier Learjet 45XR, was registered as VT-SSK and was built in 2010. It received its Indian registration on June 2nd 2021. It had previously been owned and operated by a number of US operators.
The Learjet 45 is a mid-sized business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. More than 640 aircraft were reportedly built between 1995 and 2012.
Five passengers were onboard
A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that there were five passengers onboard, including Ajit Pawar, his PSO and attendant, and two crew members - the pilot in command and the first officer.
Ajit Pawar left Mumbai around 8 am and was scheduled to address four election rallies in Baramati ahead of local body polls.
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar. Sunetra Pawar is daughter of Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, former Maharashtra minister.
His uncle and mentor, NCP Chief and former minister Sharad Pawar, has reached Baramati. Soon after reaching the City, Pawar rushed to the hospital where Ajit Pawar’s dead body was taken after the crash.
Condolences Pour-in
Party colleagues and political leaders cutting across the party-lines are condoling the death of Ajit Pawar. Sharad Pawar’s daughter and MP, Supriya Sule, is seen inconsolably crying.
“We mourn the death of Ajit Pawar. This is tragic and untimely”, Congress President Malikarjun Kharge said.
"The tragic death of Ajit Pawar is extremely heartbreaking", Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Senior Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi said.
"In this moment of grief, I stand with the people of Maharashtra. I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and their loved ones during this hour of sorrow", he added.
Condoling the death of Ajit Pawar, Congress leader and MP Priyanka Gandhi said, “Deepest condolences to revered Sharad Pawar Ji, Supriya Sule Ji and their entire family, and to the supporters of revered Ajit Pawar Ji.”
The government of Maharashtra has announced three-day mourning for Ajit Pawar. All schools and colleges stopped regular activities.
"There is an atmosphere of sadness in the state. Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss. In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together. At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra's development, his untimely demise is a loss. We stand with his family", Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
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