The skies over Maharashtra darkened with tragedy as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s aircraft plummeted during an emergency landing at Baramati, killing six people on board. The 9 AM crash, shortly after takeoff from Mumbai, saw the plane skid off the runway and erupt in flames, per eyewitness accounts and visuals.
Ambulances and fire trucks swarmed the scene, pulling out the wounded amid the inferno. DGCA’s preliminary toll stands at six dead, with hospitals treating burns and fractures. Pawar, en route to rally crowds for impending local polls, was reportedly aboard, intensifying the political fallout.
Baramati, heartland of Pawar’s influence, became a hub of sorrow and speculation. NCP loyalists mobilized blood donations and prayers, as the cause—possibly fuel issues or control failure—remains under investigation. This isn’t just an accident; it’s a seismic jolt to the state’s power dynamics.
Pawar’s political journey, marked by strategic maneuvers and family legacies, now intersects with national aviation concerns. Calls grow for enhanced safety measures at non-metro airports frequented by VVIPs. With elections looming, parties recalibrate strategies, wary of sympathy waves or blame games.
As night fell, cleanup crews worked tirelessly, and leaders vowed comprehensive inquiries. The crash serves as a stark reminder of risks in public service, blending personal peril with public duty. Maharashtra’s narrative shifts, awaiting justice for the lost and lessons for the future.