Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Baramati Plane Crash
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday, January 28, after the aircraft he was traveling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati, a close aide confirmed.
The Learjet 45, chartered from Mumbai and carrying six people, including Pawar, two security personnel, and two crew members, went off the side of the runway at Baramati airport and caught fire, leaving no survivors.
Pawar, 66, was on his way to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. Kiran Gujar, a close aide present at the local hospital, said, “All six people, including Ajit Pawar, were brought dead.”
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware told reporters, “The aircraft VT-SSK was attempting a landing when it veered off the runway and crashed.” Pune Superintendent of Police Sandeep Gill confirmed that the six bodies had been recovered and taken to a hospital.
The crash comes as a major tragedy for Maharashtra, where Pawar was scheduled to campaign for local elections in his hometown.
