Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in state politics, died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, when his chartered Learjet 45 crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. The 66-year-old NCP president was en route from Mumbai to his political stronghold for a series of election rallies.

Crash Sequence and Casualties

The incident occurred at approximately 8:48 AM IST at the threshold of Runway 11. Eyewitnesses and ATC reports indicate the aircraft veered off during final approach, burst into flames on impact, and produced thick black smoke visible across the area. Television footage captured the mangled wreckage amid firefighting efforts.

All five people on board perished: Ajit Pawar; his personal security officer; an attendant; pilot-in-command Captain Sahil Madan; and the first officer. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the fatalities and has initiated a full investigation, including black box analysis, to determine if technical failure, weather, or human error contributed. Airport operations were suspended temporarily as rescue teams secured the site.

Pawar was scheduled to address four public rallies ahead of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, underscoring his active campaign in Baramati, a constituency he dominated for decades.

A Storied Political Career

Born on July 22, 1959, Ajit Pawar rose from local cooperative leadership to become Maharashtra's longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister across six non-consecutive terms. First elected to the Baramati assembly seat in 1991, he won every election thereafter, including a decisive 2024 victory over cousin Yugendra Pawar by over 100,000 votes. 

As nephew of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, Ajit engineered a pivotal 2023 split, aligning his faction with the BJP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti alliance. The Election Commission recognized his group as the official NCP, reshaping the state's power dynamics. His portfolios included finance and water resources, where he spearheaded irrigation projects and cooperative initiatives like milk unions and sugar factories. 

Nicknamed "Dada," Pawar championed "New Maharashtra" through programs like Janata Sanvad and Shakti Abhiyan, blending rural development with urban infrastructure.

National and State Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah promptly contacted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for briefings. NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, Pawar's relative, rushed from New Delhi to Baramati. Political leaders across parties expressed shock, with tributes highlighting his "visionary leadership" and role in Maharashtra's growth. 

Baramati observed spontaneous mourning, flags at half-mast, as the NCP grapples with succession. The state government is expected to declare mourning period, with funeral arrangements pending probe updates.