The political heart of Maharashtra stopped beating momentarily as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar joined five others in death following a horrific plane crash close to Baramati. DGCA authorities have authenticated the grim toll, deepening the state’s sorrow.
Bound for a crucial public meeting amid district elections, Pawar’s flight from Mumbai faltered catastrophically. Around 9 AM, during final approach to the airstrip, the craft went haywire, crashed violently, and was consumed by fire. All six—Pawar included with two crew and three others—perished.
Response teams faced a nightmarish scene: raging inferno, scattered fuselage, and urgent evacuations. Disturbing imagery showed ambulances departing with remains, while bystanders lent aid. Three bodies reached Baramati Medical College, per police updates.
A specialized DGCA squad, emergency responders, and security experts now dominate the crash zone. Their inquiry targets runway conditions, aircraft integrity, and operational lapses for answers.
Pawar’s NCP colleagues Praful Patel and Supriya Sule, alongside wife Sunetra and son Parth from Delhi, speed towards Baramati. The 66-year-old stalwart, Sharad Pawar’s nephew and NCP chief, navigated Maharashtra’s Deputy CM role adeptly in the Mahayuti alliance.
From sugar baron to policy shaper, Pawar’s imprint is indelible. Campaigns grind to a halt as condolences flood in. This aviation calamity underscores vulnerabilities in VIP travel, spurring demands for oversight. Maharashtra braces for leadership transitions in Pawar’s enduring shadow.