Baramati, Maharashtra | January 28, 2026
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader **Ajit Pawar** was reportedly killed in a chartered plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday morning, according to preliminary information shared by ANI.
As per initial details from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a chartered aircraft flying from Mumbai to Baramati made a crash landing at around **8:45 am** near the runway threshold at Baramati airport. All **five people on board**, including passengers and crew members, are feared dead.
Ajit Pawar was travelling on the aircraft along with his **Personal Security Officer (PSO)**, an attendant, and two crew members. Officials said emergency teams were rushed to the site soon after the incident. Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing.
Authorities have not yet issued a detailed official statement confirming the identities of the victims. Further clarification is awaited from state and aviation officials.
### Was Heading to Public Rally
According to sources, Pawar was on his way to Baramati to attend a **public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections**. He had been in Mumbai on Tuesday, where he participated in a meeting of the **Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure**, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Senior state leaders, including Maharashtra Minister **Chandrashekhar Bawankule**, were present at the Mumbai meeting.
### A Veteran of Maharashtra Politics
Ajit Pawar was among the most influential political figures in Maharashtra. He served as **Deputy Chief Minister six times**, across different governments. His tenure spanned administrations led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde.
He began his political career in **1982** after being elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory. In 1991, he became chairman of the **Pune District Central Cooperative Bank**.
Pawar was first elected to the **Lok Sabha in 1991** from Baramati. He later vacated the seat for his uncle, veteran leader **Sharad Pawar**. He went on to win the **Baramati Assembly seat seven times**, making it one of his strongest political bastions.
### Key Political Developments
In **November 2019**, Ajit Pawar led a major split in the NCP and briefly joined a BJP-led government. In **February 2024**, the Election Commission allotted the NCP name and symbol to the faction headed by him.
### Family and Personal Life
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife **Sunetra Pawar** and their two sons, **Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar**, both of whom are active in public life.
### Official Confirmation Awaited
State authorities and aviation officials are expected to release a detailed briefing soon. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage