LIVE: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash While En Route to Campaign

Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are heading to Baramati, and that further action will be decided after consulting Ajit Pawar’s family.

He also announced a three-day state mourning over Ajit Pawar’s death. Today has been declared a holiday across the state to mourn the loss.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that she was shocked by the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Pune district.

“Deeply shocked and stunned by the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati this morning, and I feel a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family, including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and to all of late Ajitji’s friends and followers,” Banerjee said in a post on X.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), four other people were on board the aircraft apart from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak were flying the Learjet 45 (VT-SSK), which crashed in Baramati.

Mumbai Police Special Security Officer (PSO) Head Constable and Pawar’s security staff member Vidhit Jadhav, along with flight attendant Pinky Mali, were also on board the aircraft.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X that the incident was “deeply shocking and profoundly distressing”.

“It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead. No words can adequately express the immense grief that the bereaved family must be enduring during this difficult hour. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Pawar family, his supporters, and well-wishers. Having served the people of Maharashtra in various constitutional capacities, Shri Ajit Pawar shall be remembered as a seasoned politician who discharged his responsibilities towards the people with sincerity and astuteness,” Kharge said.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told news agency PTI, “This is very sad news. From our side, we extend our condolences and sympathies to the entire Pawar family and all their supporters. I have also spoken to Supriya ji and his wife.”

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has left for Baramati from his residence following the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, and his sister, Supriya Sule, are also heading to Baramati.

Visuals from the crash site showed the aircraft broken into pieces, with mangled debris scattered across the area. Police, emergency services, and other officials were present at the spot, while residents were also seen gathering near the site. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the wreckage of the crashed plane.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was on board the aircraft along with two other personnel and two crew members. According to initial information from the DGCA, no one on board survived the crash.

Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and Parth Pawar are set to leave for Baramati from Delhi following the plane crash news involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s aircraft and his reported death.