A routine flight, a crucial political day, and a tragedy no one saw coming. Maharashtra is reeling after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s sudden death, with three days of state mourning announced. What went wrong during the final moments near Baramati?
A file image of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy Ajit Pawar
Mumbai: Maharashtra plunged into deep grief on Wednesday following the tragic death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a three-day state mourning to honour the veteran leader’s immense contribution to the state’s political and developmental journey.
Addressing a press conference hours after the incident, CM Fadnavis described Pawar as a “leader deeply connected to the ground” whose passing has left the entire state in shock. “The passing of Ajit Dada Pawar is deeply saddening. There is grief in his family and among all of us,” he said, adding that Pawar was not only a colleague but also a strong and generous friend.
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Highlighting Ajit Pawar’s decades-long political career, the Chief Minister said Maharashtra had lost a public leader who was expected to continue serving the state for many more years. “We worked together on several initiatives. Losing such a leader is a huge loss for the state. His departure has left us speechless,” Fadnavis said.
ज़मीन से जुड़े जननेता, मेरे मित्र और सहयोगी, महाराष्ट्र के उपमुख्यमंत्री अजितदादा पवार इनकी विमान दुर्घटना में निधन की खबर से मन व्यथित है।
मैंने अपना एक दमदार और दिलदार मित्र खो दिया है। यह मेरे लिए व्यक्तिगत क्षति है, जो कभी पूरी नहीं हो सकती। यह घटना महाराष्ट्र के लिए अत्यंत… pic.twitter.com/4Y2XBdIpup— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 28, 2026
He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to the state leadership to express condolences over the tragic accident. The Chief Minister assured that the government stands firmly with Pawar’s family, party workers and supporters during this difficult time.
CM Fadnavis said that once the Pawar family reaches Baramati, discussions would be held regarding further arrangements. “Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and I will visit Baramati to meet the family and offer our condolences,” he said, acknowledging the immense grief faced by Pawar’s supporters.
As a mark of respect, Baramati observed a complete bandh on Wednesday. Citizens paid tribute to the leader who remained deeply rooted in the region and served its people till his last moments. Ajit Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to address a series of public rallies for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections and was scheduled to attend four events during the day.
According to officials, the small charter aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar took off from Mumbai around 8 am and crashed near Baramati airport during a landing attempt approximately 45 minutes later.
Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having held the post non-consecutively for six terms under various governments, including those led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.
