Ajit Pawar Killed in Plane Crash at 66: Maharashtra’s Longest-Serving Deputy Chief Minister Dies

A Learjet 45 carrying the veteran NCP leader crashed during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport on January 28, killing all five people on board. India mourns a political titan as investigators probe the cause of the disaster and Maharashtra grapples with an unprecedented power vacuum.

By UK Political Asia Desk  |  Published: 2 February 2026  |  Updated  |  Reading time: 11 min

Ajit Pawar, one of India’s most powerful regional politicians and the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s history, was killed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, when the business jet carrying him crashed during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport. He was 66 years old. All five people on board — Pawar, one personal security officer, one staff member, and two pilots — perished in the accident, which the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed is now the subject of a full investigation.

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The Bombardier Learjet 45, registration VT-SSK, operated by VSR Aviation, had departed from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport earlier that morning. According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati’s Runway 11 when it crashed approximately 254 kilometres from Mumbai. Eyewitnesses described the aircraft striking the ground and erupting in flames, with multiple secondary explosions making rescue efforts impossible. Emergency services arrived at the scene within minutes, but officials quickly confirmed there were no survivors.

Crash Summary — Key Data Points

Metric	Detail
Fatalities	5 (all on board)
Terms as Deputy CM	6 (record for Maharashtra)
Age at Death	66 years
Days of State Mourning	3
Investigation Authority	DGCA

The Crash: What We Know So Far

The Union Aviation Ministry released preliminary details within hours of the disaster. The Learjet 45 had been cleared for landing on Runway 11 at Baramati Airport after the crew radioed that the runway was in sight. Flightradar24 data indicates the aircraft initially overshot its first approach — a detail that investigators will scrutinise closely. On the second attempt, the jet came down short of the runway threshold, impacting an open field adjacent to the airstrip before bursting into flames.

⚠ Investigation Status — 2 February 2026: The DGCA has opened a full investigation into the crash. Flight data recorders have been recovered from the wreckage. Preliminary findings are expected within 30 days, though a final report may take 12–18 months. The cause of the crash has not been officially determined. Weather conditions at the time of the incident are reported to have been clear.

A witness quoted by The Times of India provided a harrowing account of the moments following impact. He described rushing toward the burning aircraft but being driven back by the intensity of the fire and a series of secondary explosions. The aircraft, which was on its way to carry Pawar to a public rally ahead of district council elections, had been chartered from VSR Aviation — a private operator based in Mumbai.

Crash Factsheet — Baramati Airport Incident, 28 January 2026

Parameter	Detail
Date & Time	28 January 2026, approximately 08:44 IST (03:15 GMT)
Aircraft Type	Bombardier Learjet 45
Registration	VT-SSK
Operator	VSR Aviation
Departure	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Mumbai
Destination	Baramati Airport, Pune District
Distance	~254 km (159 miles)
Persons on Board	5 (1 VIP, 1 PSO, 1 attendant, 2 crew)
Survivors	None
Crash Location	Near runway threshold, Baramati Airport
Weather	Reported clear at time of incident
Investigation Lead	Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Who Was Ajit Pawar: A Political Life in Full

Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, Maharashtra, Ajit Anantrao Pawar was the nephew of Sharad Pawar, one of India’s most storied political figures and the founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). His father, Anantrao Pawar, died when Ajit was just eighteen, and his early entry into politics — through the cooperative sugar factory movement in the 1980s — reflected both family tradition and personal ambition. Nicknamed “Ajit Dada” (Elder Brother Ajit) by supporters, he built a grassroots political machine in Maharashtra’s sugar belt that became a model of rural electoral mobilisation.

His rise through Maharashtra’s political hierarchy was relentless. First elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati in 1991, he subsequently vacated the seat for his uncle Sharad Pawar, who went on to serve as India’s Defence Minister. Ajit Pawar then pivoted to state-level politics, winning seven consecutive elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from the Baramati constituency. His hold on that seat — spanning from 1991 to 2026 — was virtually unchallenged.

Ajit Pawar’s Six Terms as Deputy Chief Minister

Term	Period	Chief Minister	Coalition	Key Portfolios
1st	2010–2012	Prithviraj Chavan	INC-NCP	Finance, Planning
2nd	2012–2014	Prithviraj Chavan	INC-NCP	Finance, Energy
3rd	2019 (brief)	Devendra Fadnavis	BJP-NCP	Controversial dawn swearing-in
4th	2019–2022	Uddhav Thackeray	MVA	Finance, Water Resources
5th	2023–2024	Eknath Shinde	Maha Yuti	Finance
6th	Dec 2024 – Jan 2026	Devendra Fadnavis	Maha Yuti	Finance

The NCP Split: A Defining and Divisive Moment

The most consequential — and controversial — chapter of Ajit Pawar’s political career came in 2023, when he orchestrated a dramatic split within the NCP. By aligning his faction with the ruling BJP-led Maha Yuti alliance, he effectively divided a party that his own uncle had founded in 1999. The move drew comparisons to an earlier split within the Shiv Sena party and deepened the fractious nature of Maharashtra’s coalition politics.

In February 2024, the Election Commission of India formally recognised Ajit Pawar’s faction as the official NCP, awarding it the party name and electoral symbol. Sharad Pawar’s group was forced to reconstitute itself as the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). The schism created a rift within the Pawar family that extended beyond politics — family relationships were strained, and public exchanges between the two camps were often bitter. Yet, in the months before Ajit Pawar’s death, reconciliation talks between the two NCP factions were reportedly under way, suggesting that a rapprochement might have been achievable.

“His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality. His passion for the empowerment of the poor and the deprived was particularly noteworthy.”

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi, statement on X, 28 January 2026

Political Career Timeline

Year	Milestone
1959	Born in Deolali Pravara, Maharashtra, to Anantrao and Ashatai Pawar
1982	Enters politics; elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory
1991	Elected to Lok Sabha from Baramati; later wins first Maharashtra Assembly seat
1991–2009	Serves as Minister of State for Agriculture, Power, Irrigation, and Rural Development
2010	Appointed Deputy Chief Minister for the first time under CM Prithviraj Chavan
2019	Controversial “dawn swearing-in” alongside BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis; collapses within days
2023	Splits from uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction; aligns with BJP-led Maha Yuti alliance
Feb 2024	Election Commission awards official NCP name and symbol to his faction
Dec 2024	Sworn in as Deputy CM for a record sixth time under CM Devendra Fadnavis
28 Jan 2026	Killed in Learjet 45 crash at Baramati Airport; all five on board perish

Immediate Aftermath: Three Days of Mourning

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared a state holiday on January 28 and announced three days of official mourning across Maharashtra. The national flag was ordered to fly at half-mast on all government buildings in the state, and all public entertainment events were cancelled during the mourning period. Fadnavis described the crash as “a completely irreparable loss for the whole state of Maharashtra” and called Pawar a leader who had left an indelible mark on the region’s political and economic fabric.

Pawar’s last rites were performed on January 29 at the Vidya Pratishthan Grounds in Baramati — a venue closely associated with the Pawar family’s educational and community contributions — with full state honours. Senior political leaders from across the national spectrum attended, including Governor Acharya Devvrat, CM Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Uncle Sharad Pawar, visibly grief-stricken despite the political estrangement, was among the mourners.

Key Facts: Ajit Pawar (1959–2026)

Detail	Information
Full Name	Ajit Anantrao Pawar
Born	22 July 1959, Deolali Pravara, Maharashtra, India
Died	28 January 2026, Baramati Airport, Pune District, Maharashtra
Cause of Death	Aviation accident (Learjet 45 crash during landing)
Spouse	Sunetra Pawar (née Patil), Rajya Sabha MP
Children	Jay Pawar, Parth Pawar
Uncle	Sharad Pawar, NCP founder, four-time Chief Minister
Political Party	Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction)
Constituencies	Baramati (Lok Sabha 1991, Assembly 1991–2026)

What Happens Next: The Succession Question

The immediate political question facing Maharashtra is the succession at two levels: the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, and the leadership of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). According to reports confirmed by multiple sources, Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar — who serves as a member of the Rajya Sabha — has been named as his successor in both roles. This dynastic transition mirrors patterns seen across Indian politics, though it carries particular resonance given the ongoing Pawar family schism.

Power Transition — NCP (Ajit Pawar Faction)

Role	Previous Holder	Successor	Status
NCP Party President	Ajit Pawar	Sunetra Pawar	Confirmed
Deputy Chief Minister	Ajit Pawar	Sunetra Pawar	Confirmed
Finance Ministry	Ajit Pawar	To be determined	Pending

The succession also raises questions about the Maha Yuti coalition’s stability. Ajit Pawar was considered the linchpin that held the NCP faction’s alliance with the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena together. Without his pragmatic, deal-making leadership, the coalition could face internal pressures — particularly as Maharashtra’s vibrant opposition, led by the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi), senses an opportunity.

Maharashtra’s Political Landscape: Impact Analysis

Maharashtra Maha Yuti Coalition — Seat Distribution (2024 Assembly)

Party	Seats Won	Vote Share %	Leader	Status Post-Crash
BJP	132	26.8%	Devendra Fadnavis (CM)	Stable
Shiv Sena (Shinde)	57	12.4%	Eknath Shinde (Dy CM)	Stable
NCP (Ajit Pawar)	41	9.1%	Sunetra Pawar (Successor)	In transition
Others / Allies	5	—	Various	Watching developments
Total Coalition	235	—	—	Majority (144 needed)

Analysts note that the Maha Yuti alliance retains a comfortable legislative majority, with 235 seats against the 144 needed. However, political coalitions in India — and in Maharashtra particularly — are held together as much by personal relationships as by ideological alignment. Ajit Pawar’s ability to deliver the sugar belt vote, manage factional tensions, and broker deals across party lines was a unique asset. Replicating that capability will be the defining challenge for whoever leads the NCP faction going forward.

Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny

The crash has reignited a broader debate about aviation safety standards for chartered flights in India. While India’s commercial aviation sector has seen significant safety improvements in recent years, the charter and private aviation segment operates under a different regulatory framework that critics have long argued is insufficiently rigorous. Baramati Airport itself is a relatively small facility, and questions have been raised about its infrastructure, approach procedures, and equipment for handling business jet operations.

Major Aviation Incidents Involving Indian Politicians (2000–2026)

Date	Location	Official	Aircraft	Outcome
30 Aug 2009	Andhra Pradesh	YS Rajasekhara Reddy (CM)	Bell 430 Helicopter	Fatal
4 Jun 2011	Arunachal Pradesh	Dorjee Khandu (CM)	Mil Mi-172 Helicopter	Fatal
28 Jan 2026	Baramati, Maharashtra	Ajit Pawar (Dy CM)	Bombardier Learjet 45	Fatal

A Memorial in Baramati

As of February 2, 2026, plans for a permanent memorial to Ajit Pawar are being drawn up. Kiran Gujar, a close associate of the late leader, confirmed that the memorial will be erected on the premises of Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati — the educational institution established by the Pawar family — at the very location where the last rites were performed. Sharad Pawar himself visited the site on Sunday, instructing trustees to begin planning the design and layout of the tribute. It is a gesture that, for many observers, suggests the family schism may ultimately yield to the deeper bonds of kinship and shared grief.

Ajit Pawar’s death removes one of Indian politics’ most pragmatic, resilient, and polarising figures from the national stage. Whether his political faction, his coalition, and his family can hold together without him will be the defining story in Maharashtra politics for months and years to come. For now, a state mourns, an investigation proceeds, and the sugar belt that “Ajit Dada” made his own adjusts to an era it never expected to arrive so suddenly.