‘An Unprecedented Loss’: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s Demise

On Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash “an unprecedented loss,” recalling his close friendship with the NCP chief, with whom he had faced many challenges in both personal and political life.

दादा गेले!
जमिनीशी घट्ट नाळ असलेले जननेते, माझे मित्र आणि सहकारी, उपमुख्यमंत्री अजितदादा पवार यांचा विमान अपघातात मृत्यू झाल्याची घटना मनाला अत्यंत व्यथित करणारी आहे. मनाला चटका लावणारी आहे. मन सुन्न झाले आहे. भावना व्यक्त करण्यासाठी माझ्याकडे शब्द नाहीत.
माझा दमदार आणि दिलदार… — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 28, 2026

“Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has lost his life in a plane accident. There is an atmosphere of sadness in the state. Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss,” Fadnavis said, adding, “In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together.”

Fadnavis said Pawar’s passing was especially painful as he was actively involved in the state’s development at the time of his death.

ज़मीन से जुड़े जननेता, मेरे मित्र और सहयोगी, महाराष्ट्र के उपमुख्यमंत्री अजितदादा पवार इनकी विमान दुर्घटना में निधन की खबर से मन व्यथित है।
मैंने अपना एक दमदार और दिलदार मित्र खो दिया है। यह मेरे लिए व्यक्तिगत क्षति है, जो कभी पूरी नहीं हो सकती। यह घटना महाराष्ट्र के लिए अत्यंत… pic.twitter.com/4Y2XBdIpup — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 28, 2026

“At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra’s development, his untimely demise is a loss. We stand with his family,” Fadnavis said. He also said that he, along with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, would head to Baramati immediately.

Around 8:45 am, a small aircraft crashed at Baramati airport during a landing attempt. Ajit Pawar, 66, died along with four others, including pilots and security personnel, who were onboard the aircraft. The plane had taken off from Mumbai approximately 45 minutes earlier. The NCP chief was travelling to attend public meetings ahead of local body polls.