MUMBAI (Jan 28): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others tragically lost their lives on Wednesday morning after their aircraft crashed during an attempted landing near Baramati in Pune district. The veteran NCP leader was traveling from Mumbai to his political bastion to address public meetings ahead of the February 5 zilla parishad elections.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:50 AM. According to eyewitness accounts, the aircraft—a chartered Learjet 45—appeared unstable during its final approach. “It took a round in the air, appeared tilted, and hit the ground hard before exploding,” a local resident reported. The initial crash was followed by several secondary explosions, which created a massive fire that prevented immediate rescue efforts.
Key Details of the Incident:
- The Flight: The aircraft (registration VT-SSK), operated by VSR Aviation, took off from Mumbai at 8:10 AM.
- The Crash: Flight radar lost contact at 8:45 AM. The aircraft reportedly crashed near the threshold of the Baramati runway while making a second landing attempt in poor visibility.
- The Victims: Beside Ajit Pawar, those killed have been identified as his personal security officer (PSO), an attendant, and two crew members (the Pilot-in-Command and the First Officer).
- Official Response: Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill confirmed that emergency protocols were activated immediately. Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that the DGCA and AAIB have been alerted to conduct a transparent investigation.
State Funeral and Tributes Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expressing deep personal grief, announced that Ajit Pawar’s last rites will be performed with full state honors on Thursday, January 29, at 11:00 AM at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground in Baramati. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend.
“Ajit Dada was a hardworking leader who never wavered. This is an irreparable loss for Maharashtra,” CM Fadnavis said. Prime Minister Modi also expressed his condolences, describing Pawar as a “hardworking personality” dedicated to the empowerment of the poor.
The Maharashtra government has announced that the last rites of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will be performed with full state honors on Thursday at the Vidya Pratishthan Ground in Baramati. The veteran leader, who was 66, passed away on Wednesday morning in a tragic aviation accident that has sent shockwaves across the nation’s political landscape.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to arrive in Baramati at 11:00 AM to pay their final respects to the leader popularly known as “Dada.” The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) confirmed that dignitaries from various political parties will join the final journey. In a mark of profound respect, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared a three-day period of state mourning and a public holiday across Maharashtra.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 8:50 AM when a chartered Learjet 45, traveling from Mumbai, crashed during a second landing attempt at Baramati airport. While the cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), preliminary reports suggest that dense fog and poor visibility hindered the pilot’s approach. All five individuals on board, including two crew members and Pawar’s personal security staff, perished in the crash which was followed by several intense explosions.
Ajit Pawar was en route to his home constituency to lead a series of public rallies for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for February 5. His sudden demise marks the end of an era for the cooperative movement and regional governance in Maharashtra. ( With input from PTI)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com