The skies over Baramati turned deadly Wednesday morning when a plane crash killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Eyewitnesses painted a picture of pandemonium as the aircraft attempted landing, circled erratically, and then erupted in a fireball at 8:45 AM.
‘We saw two circles, crash, and then total fire,’ said Raju, voice trembling. Nikita Atolle heard the deafening boom: ‘Others confirmed Ajit Pawar was inside – his watch gave it away.’ Monomali Prakash arrived amid rising smoke, watching police retrieve severely burned bodies.
Villagers’ heroic attempts to extinguish the blaze preceded fire department aid, showcasing community spirit in crisis. Pawar, heading for election duties, was a key figure whose death stunned leaders nationwide.
CM Devendra Fadnavis shared raw emotion: ‘A grounded jananeta, my dear friend – this personal devastation haunts me, a wound for all Maharashtra.’ PM Modi’s tribute underscored Pawar’s legacy as a dynamic collaborator.
This tragedy spotlights vulnerabilities in regional aviation, especially for politicians crisscrossing for polls. Pawar’s Baramati roots fueled his rise, pioneering rural development. Supporters flock to the site, laying flowers near the secured wreckage.
As probes intensify into possible runway issues or technical glitches, Pawar’s absence reshapes power dynamics. His watch, a simple identifier in tragedy, symbolizes a life cut short. Maharashtra pauses to honor a titan, demanding answers and reforms.