Prominent Indian politician Ajit Pawar, serving as the 8th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash on Wednesday (January 28). The aircraft lost control while attempting to land in Baramati, went off the runway, and burst into flames upon impact.
The incident occurred earlier in the day as he was heading to his hometown to attend four public gatherings in Baramati, scheduled ahead of Zilla Parishad elections. The programme was planned to run from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Pawar was travelling with six others on the aircraft. Emergency response teams rushed to the crash site, and more details are awaited. He holds the record for being the longest-serving Deputy CM of the state, having served six non-consecutive terms.
#BigBreaking : महाराष्ट्र के बारामती में एक प्लेन क्रैश हुआ है. उसी प्लेन में डिप्टी सीएम अजित पवार सवार थे. फिलहाल घटनास्थल पर बचाव कार्य जारी है. विमान क्रैश के बाद का वीडियो आया सामने#maharashtra #baramati #ajitpawar #breakingnews #planecrash #abpnews pic.twitter.com/rEE8DeeyDJ
— ABP News (@ABPNews) January 28, 2026
Legacy of Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar was a dominant force in Indian politics, currently serving his sixth tenure as 8th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Known for his administrative grit and “on-the-ground” leadership, Pawar held the unique distinction of being state’s longest-serving Deputy CM.
The Baramati Stronghold
Often referred to as “Dada” by his supporters, Ajit Pawar’s influence is most visible in Baramati, which he has transformed into a model of industrial and agricultural development.
Under his guidance, the region has seen massive infrastructure upgrades, including the recent modernization of the Baramati Airport to support night landing and pilot training.
Record-Breaking Career
Pawar’s political journey is defined by resilience and strategic maneuvering. Whether managing the state’s finances or spearheading urban development, his career highlights include:
Six Terms as Deputy CM: Serving across various coalitions, a testament to his indispensability in state governance.
Infrastructure Focus: A key driver behind Pune Metro and various regional irrigation projects.
NCP Leadership: Served as a pivotal leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), key to shape the “Mahayuti” alliance’s strategy.
