Devastating Plane Crash Claims Life of Maharashtra's Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Tragedy struck on Wednesday morning when Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, lost his life in a plane crash near Baramati airport. The privately chartered Bombardier Learjet 45 was attempting an emergency landing when it went down. Alongside Pawar, four others—including the pilots and two security personnel—also perished in this unfortunate event.

Registered as VT-SSK and operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., the aircraft took off from Mumbai around 8:10 AM. The first landing attempt at Baramati was abandoned due to low visibility. A subsequent approach was made shortly after, but the plane vanished from radar near runway 11 around 8:45 AM before crashing in a fiery eruption near the runway threshold.

Emergency teams responded swiftly to the scene, only to find debris scattered amidst thick smoke and flames, with no survivors reported. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has commenced an investigation to uncover the causes of the crash, with initial indications pointing towards poor visibility as a likely factor.

The 66-year-old Ajit Pawar was en route to Baramati for public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. He had participated in a cabinet meeting in Mumbai just the day prior. In the aftermath, his family, including his wife and son, hurried to Baramati.

This unexpected loss has sent shockwaves throughout Maharashtra. The Prime Minister conveyed his condolences, describing Ajit Pawar as a committed leader with strong ties to the community. Many state leaders have expressed their grief over his passing, recognizing his unwavering dedication and vital contributions to the progress of Maharashtra.