Pune, January 28, 2026 — Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others on Wednesday after a private aircraft crash-landed in Baramati, Pune district.

The incident occurred when the Learjet 45, operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR, attempted to land in Baramati. All five people on board — Ajit Pawar, his attendant, a personal security officer (PSO), the pilot, and the co-pilot — were declared dead at the scene, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Mr. Pawar had departed from Mumbai at 8:10 AM to attend a political rally in Baramati. Flight tracking data shows the aircraft disappeared from radar around 8:45 AM. The exact cause of the crash is under investigation by aviation authorities and a high-level probe team.

Ajit Pawar, 66, was one of Maharashtra’s most influential politicians for over four decades. Affectionately called “Dada” by supporters, he began his career in the 1980s under the guidance of his uncle Sharad Pawar. He won his first Lok Sabha election from Baramati in 1991 and went on to serve as Deputy Chief Minister five times under various governments.

In 2023, he split from the undivided NCP to ally with the BJP-led coalition, forming his own faction and becoming Deputy Chief Minister once again. Known for his grassroots connect and administrative experience, he had often expressed his ambition to become Chief Minister and implement welfare-focused policies.

He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar (a Rajya Sabha member) and two sons, Parth and Jay.

The crash has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra’s political landscape. Condolences have poured in from leaders across party lines, with flags flying at half-mast in state government buildings.