RIP Ajit Pawar: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Dies in Plane Crash

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Anantrao Pawar, a senior political leader and influential figure in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has died in a tragic aircraft accident on January 28, 2026. The chartered plane carrying him crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district, killing Pawar and several others on board.

Ajit Pawar, 66, served as the 8th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, overseeing key portfolios including Finance and Planning. A veteran politician with a career spanning decades, he was widely respected for his role in shaping the state’s fiscal policies and played a central role in Maharashtra’s governance.

In his final hours, Pawar shared a tribute on social media, honoring freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, marking it as his last public message before the crash.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed the fatal accident, and investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. Details about other passengers and the full sequence of events are still emerging.

Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed grief at the sudden loss of a towering figure in Maharashtra politics. Pawar’s passing is expected to have significant implications for the state’s political landscape.