Baramati Plane Crash: PM Modi, Amit Shah and other leaders express condolences after Ajit Pawar dies

NCP Chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (1959–2026) passed away in a plane crash on Wednesday. Political leaders across party lines have expressed shock and grief over the sudden loss of the senior NCP leader in Baramati.

Ajit Pawar, along with his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members (pilot in command and first officer), was killed when the Learjet 45 carrying them crashed while landing at Baramati Airport this morning. No one on board survived, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed.

Expressing his grief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: “Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”

Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026

In a message posted on ‘X’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “The way Ajit Pawar ji dedicated himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three and a half decades cannot be expressed in words. Whenever we met, he would engage in long discussions on numerous issues related to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. His passing is a personal loss not only for the NDA family but also for me. I express my deepest condolences to the Pawar family. In this hour of grief, the entire NDA stands firmly with the bereaved Pawar family. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.”

आज एका अत्यंत दुःखद अपघातात महाराष्ट्राचे उपमुख्यमंत्री आणि आमचे एनडीएचे (NDA) ज्येष्ठ सहकारी अजित पवार जी यांना गमावल्याची बातमी ऐकून मन अत्यंत व्यथित झाले आहे. अजित पवार जी यांनी गेली साडेतीन दशके ज्या प्रकारे महाराष्ट्रातील प्रत्येक वर्गाच्या कल्याणासाठी स्वतःला समर्पित केले,… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 28, 2026

Congress leader and Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi expressed sorrow over the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the others on board the Baramati plane, describing the news as deeply heartbreaking.

महाराष्ट्र के उप मुख्यमंत्री श्री अजित पवार जी और उनके सहयात्रियों की आज हवाई जहाज दुर्घटना में निधन का समाचार अत्यंत पीड़ादायक है। इस शोक के पल में महाराष्ट्र की जनता के साथ हूं। समस्त पवार परिवार और प्रियजनों को इस दुख की घड़ी में अपनी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं। — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 28, 2026

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash.

Shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar ji in a plane crash this morning. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and followers. Om Shanthi. pic.twitter.com/w6xN3oMWqQ — N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) January 28, 2026

In a post in Hindi, President Droupadi Murmu said, “The news of the death of several people, including Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, is extremely tragic. The untimely demise of Ajit Pawar ji is an irreparable loss.”

महाराष्ट्र के बारामती में एक विमान दुर्घटना में महाराष्ट्र के उप मुख्यमंत्री, श्री अजित पवार समेत कई लोगों की मृत्यु का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है। अजित पवार जी का असामयिक निधन एक अपूरणीय क्षति है। उन्हें महाराष्ट्र के विकास में, विशेषकर सहकारी क्षेत्र में, विशेष योगदान के लिए सदैव… — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 28, 2026

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers.”

Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his… — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 28, 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister and All India Trinamool Congress chief said, “Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji’s all friends and followers.”

Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family including his uncle… — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 28, 2026

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar paid his condolences, noting that Pawar’s contributions to Maharashtra’s progress and development will always be remembered.

Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. His contributions to Maharashtra’s progress and development will always be remembered. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and admirers. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 28, 2026