Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash

Baramati | Desk: Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar unfortunately passed away in a plane crash after a charted Bombardier Learjet 45 crashed while attempting to land in Baramati. 

The mishap took place around 8.45 in Wednesday morning. The aircraft had taken off from Mumbai at 8.10 am.

Pawar was heading to Baramati for public meetings ahead of the Zila Parishad elections when the incident took place. 

According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation, along with the Deputy CM four more people were present inside the aircraft. 

Pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak, Mumbai PSO hc Pawar's security staff Vidhit Jadhav and Flight attendant Pinky Mali were also on board the aircraft. 

Born on 22 July 1959, Ajit Pawar had entered VidhanSabha in the year 1991. He has been elected many times as MLA in Baramati. In the longest of his Political career he has been elected as Deputy CM for three times. Besides he has also led important departments including Water resources and Finance. 

Notably, after the split in the Nationalist Congress Party in 2023, he took oath as Deputy Chief Minister and played a key role in introducing the current 'Mahayuti' government's ambitious 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' (Beloved Sister Scheme) in the budget.

Pawar, who began his career in the cooperative sector of Western Maharashtra, was considered one of the state's most influential and decisive leaders.

He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, and two sons, Parth and Jay Pawar. His sudden demise has sent a wave of grief through Maharashtra's political circles.