Ajit Pawar, Four Others Perish In Tragic Baramati Plane Crash/sbkinews.in
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, along with four others, died in a horrific Learjet 45 crash at Baramati airport on January 28, 2026, while en route from Mumbai for political rallies, plunging the Nationalist Congress Party into collective mourning with members breaking down in grief nationwide.
The aircraft, registration VT-SSK operated by VSR Ventures, attempted an emergency landing around 8:45 AM but veered off the runway, exploded into flames, and claimed all lives on board including staffers Vidip Jadhav, Pinky Mali, Sumit Kapoor, and crew, prompting an outpouring of tributes from PM Modi who called it “shocking” and a profound loss for the people.
Pawar’s sudden demise creates a massive political vacuum in Maharashtra’s Mahayuti coalition, where his NCP faction held key portfolios like finance and home, triggering immediate leadership battles and state mourning declarations as party workers wail at party offices from Mumbai to Pune.
This aviation tragedy ranks among India’s most shocking political losses, echoing past crashes involving leaders like Sanjay Gandhi.
Crash Details: Learjet 45 Disaster Unfolds
The Learjet 45XR, a mid-size business jet known for speed and efficiency, departed Mumbai for Baramati where Pawar was scheduled for four Zilla Parishad election rallies. Preliminary DGCA reports cite technical failure during final approach—pilot lost control, runway excursion, immediate fireball.
Victims On Board:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Ajit Pawar | Dy CM, NCP Chief |
| Vidip Jadhav | Staff member |
| Pinky Mali | Personal aide |
| Sumit Kapoor | Security officer |
| Two pilots | Flight crew |
Timeline:
8:15 AM: Departure Mumbai.
8:45 AM: Mayday call, crash on landing.
9:00 AM: First responders confirm no survivors.
Black box recovered; forensic teams investigate fuel/engine faults.
Ajit Pawar, Four Others Perish In Tragic Baramati Plane Crash/sbkinews.in
NCP In Chaos: Party Workers Collapse In Grief
NCP offices across Maharashtra transformed into mourning hubs—workers weeping uncontrollably, posters garlanded, Supriya Sule (Sharad Pawar faction) visibly shattered alongside Ajit loyalists. Pune/Baramati saw largest gatherings; “Bapu” chants echoed Pawar’s sugar baron legacy.
Key Reactions:
Supriya Sule: “Unthinkable loss—Ajit dada irreplaceable.”
Sharad Pawar: Silent vigil at YB Chavan Centre.
Party insiders: Leadership vacuum sparks factional war immediate.
Political Vacuum: Maharashtra Governance Shaken
Pawar’s Portfolios: Finance, home, excise, relief—immediate handover chaos. Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP) loses balancing force; Devendra Fadnavis elevated temporarily.
Succession Battle:
| Contender | Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Tatkare | NCP Working Pres | Faction rift |
| Parth Pawar | Dynastic appeal | Inexperience |
| Chhagan Bhujbal | Senior leader | Age, controversies |
Emergency cabinet meet scheduled January 29.
Ajit Pawar, Four Others Perish In Tragic Baramati Plane Crash/sbkinews.in
PM Modi & National Tributes: Bipartisan Mourning
Modi Statement: “Ajit Pawar’s demise shocks nation—leader of masses, development warrior.” Flags half-mast; 3-day state mourning declared.
Opposition: Rahul Gandhi: “Tragic beyond words.” Uddhav Thackeray offers alliance truce.
Pawar’s Legacy: From Pawar Protégé To Powerhouse
Career Highlights:
24 years as MLA (Baramati bastion).
Multiple Dy CM stints (2012, 2019, 2023).
Irrigation scam survivor turned infrastructure czar.
NCP split architect (2023), Mahayuti pivot.
Baramati Empire: Sugar cooperatives, airports, colleges—family stronghold.
Ajit Pawar, Four Others Perish In Tragic Baramati Plane Crash/sbkinews.in
Aviation Context: Latest In String Of Crashes
Recent Indian Political Crashes:
| Year | Victim | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ajit Pawar | Learjet Baramati |
| 2021 | CDS Bipin Rawat | Mi-17 Tamil Nadu |
| 1980 | Sanjay Gandhi | Cessna crash |
DGCA scrutiny intensifies on charter ops.
Ajit Pawar, Four Others Perish In Tragic Baramati Plane Crash/sbkinews.in
Immediate Aftermath: Baramati Scene
Visuals: Charred wreckage, smoke plumes, locals gathered. Airport ops suspended; black box en route Delhi. Family—wife Sunetra, son Parth—rushed from Pune.
Economic Ripple: Maharashtra Markets Dip
Sensex Reaction: -1.2% intraday; sugar stocks tumble 5% (Pawar baron links). Baramati businesses halt operations.
NCP Factional Future: Split Dynasty
Sharad vs Ajit Wings: Reconciliation impossible. Tatkare interim chief likely; EC symbol freeze looms.
State Machinery Response: Crisis Mode
Fadnavis: “Cabinet assumes Pawar duties.” Home portfolio redistribution urgent. Police deployment Baramati prevents unrest.
Ajit Pawar, Four Others Perish In Tragic Baramati Plane Crash/sbkinews.in
Family Tragedy: Pawars In Shock
Sunetra Pawar: Collapsed at residence; medical attention. Parth: “World ended” presser avoided.
Media Storm: Live Coverage Peaks
TRP Surge: 250M viewers; #AjitPawar trends global. Emotional anchors, expert panels 24/7.
Historical Precedents: Dy CM Vacuums
Past Cases:
Fadnavis 2019: Coalition collapse.
Uddhav 2022: Shiv Sena split.
Pawar’s death accelerates Mahayuti realignments.
Ajit Pawar, Four Others Perish In Tragic Baramati Plane Crash/sbkinews.in
Voter Impact: Zilla Parishad Elections
Baramati rallies cancelled; polls deferred? Pawar vacuum reshapes rural votebanks.
Supriya Sule’s Pivot: NCP(SP) Gains?
Sharad faction eyes merger opportunities amid Ajit chaos.
Forensic Probe: DGCA Black Box Analysis
Preliminary: Gear failure suspected; VSR Ventures license review. Learjet maintenance records under scanner.
International Tributes: Global Echoes
Sri Lanka PM: Condolences (Pawar ties). Diaspora prays Mumbai temples.
Party Mourning Rituals: 13-Day Observance
NCP shok sabhas planned; Baramati mass prayer January 29.
Maharashtra Politics 2.0: Post-Pawar Scenarios
Tatkare Takesover: Stabilize faction.
BJP Direct Rule: Coalition collapse risk.
Early Polls: 2027 assembly trigger.
Legacy Projects: Baramati Airport Irony
Pawar championed airport development—fatal landing site.
Emotional Worker Testimonies
Pune NCP Office: “Bapu gave jobs, dreams shattered.” Viral videos of breakdowns.
Financial Disclosure: Pawar’s Empire
Sugar factories, real estate—family net worth ₹500cr+ scrutiny post-death.
Constitutional Mechanics: Dy CM Succession
Governor recommends; Fadnavis picks portfolio holder.
Opposition Strategy: MVA Resurgence?
Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT) eyes NCP absorption.
Aviation Safety Reforms: Immediate Calls
DGCA audits all Learjets; charter ops restrictions rumored.
Baramati’s Black Day: Local Mourning
Schools shut; businesses closed; highway posters.
National Security Angle: VIP Flight Protocols
SPG-level security demanded for Dy CMs post-crash.
Media Ethics Debate: Live Crash Visuals
Critics slam insensitive coverage; self-regulation calls.
Pawar Memorials: Instant Proposals
Baramati statue, airport renaming inevitable.
Youth Wing Response: Parth Pawar Future
Dynasty heir thrust forward amid grief.
Economic Districts Impacted: Western Maharashtra
Sugar belt cooperatives leaderless crisis.
Global Indian Diaspora: Condolences Pour
US/UK Marathi associations pray.
Political Astrology: Inauspicious Timing
Zilla Parishad polls eve crash fuels superstition.
Final Rites: Last Journey January 30
Mumbai Shivaji Park likely; lakhs expected.
NCP’s tallest leader falls—Maharashtra politics reshaped forever.
