India’s political landscape was jolted on Wednesday after Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, was killed in a charter plane crash that claimed five lives in total. Aviation authorities confirmed that the aircraft went down while approaching the city of Baramati, leaving no survivors.
Pawar, a prominent figure from one of Maharashtra’s most influential political families, was travelling from Mumbai to his home region to take part in campaigning for local government elections. Also on board the Learjet 45 were two members of his personal staff and two flight crew. The aircraft was operated by VSR Ventures, according to India’s aviation regulator.
In an initial statement, officials said the plane crashed during its descent and burst into flames on impact. Investigators have not established the cause of the accident, and a formal probe has been launched. VSR Ventures’ director, VK Singh, said the aircraft had no known mechanical issues and described the crew as experienced, adding that the incident occurred during the final stage of the flight.
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Footage aired by local television channels showed smoke rising from wreckage scattered across an open field near the airport. Witnesses told local media they saw the aircraft engulfed in fire shortly after hitting the ground, making rescue efforts impossible.
Pawar played a central role in Maharashtra politics and was a key ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. He led a breakaway faction from the Nationalist Congress Party in 2023, a move that reshaped the state’s governing coalition and altered its political balance.
Prime Minister Modi described Pawar’s death as deeply distressing, offering condolences to his family and supporters. Tributes also poured in from across party lines, reflecting Pawar’s influence and long-standing presence in state politics.
The crash has cast a shadow over the ongoing local elections in Maharashtra, India’s wealthiest state, as authorities prepare for an investigation while the political class grapples with the sudden loss of one of its most powerful figures.