what happened to ajit pawar

Ajit Pawar, senior NCP leader and Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, died in a chartered plane crash near Baramati on 28 January 2026 while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati for a political event.

Quick Scoop: What happened to Ajit Pawar?

The incident: what actually happened?

• Ajit Pawar was travelling in a small chartered/business jet from Mumbai to Baramati on the morning of 28 January 2026.

• The aircraft reportedly attempted an emergency or second approach to land at Baramati Airport when it veered off the runway, caught fire and was destroyed.

• Pawar and four others on board, including crew and security personnel, lost their lives in the crash.

• The crash timing is reported around 8:45–9:12 am IST.

Investigative teams from the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have been sent to probe the cause of the accident, focusing on factors such as technical failure, weather, and runway conditions; an official, detailed cause has not yet been released.

Official reaction and state mourning

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced three days of state mourning after Ajit Pawar’s death, calling it an “irreparable” loss for the state.

• The Maharashtra government declared a holiday for all state government offices, and reports note closure of schools and colleges across the state on 28–29 January 2026 in tribute.

• The national flag is to be flown at half‑mast on government buildings in Maharashtra during the mourning period, and no official entertainment events are being held.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s uncle, and expressed condolences on behalf of the central leadership.

Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders have publicly appealed that the tragedy be treated as an accident and not turned into a political controversy, even as grief and shock dominate political reactions.

Last rites and public farewell

• Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains have been kept at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati for the public to pay their last respects.

• His last rites are scheduled to be performed in Baramati with full state honours, with senior state and national leaders expected to attend.

• Public viewing and the funeral procession are being organised to allow citizens, party workers and supporters to participate in the farewell.

Who Ajit Pawar was, in brief

• Ajit Anantrao Pawar (aged about 66 at the time of his death) was a long‑time power centre in Maharashtra politics, serving multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister and as a key leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

• He was known for his strong organisational control in western Maharashtra—especially Baramati—and for his central role in irrigation and development projects.

• In recent years, he became NCP chief and Deputy CM in the ruling alliance, positioning himself as one of the most influential regional leaders in the state.

Many commentators describe his career as a mix of strong administrative clout, local development focus, and controversies, making his sudden death a major turning point in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Forum-style take: what people are discussing

On news channels, social platforms, and forums, people are mainly talking about:

1. Shock at how sudden it was
   • Users and commentators are sharing how they had seen him active in politics right till the end, with a busy schedule and campaign plans, making the crash feel surreal.

2. Questions about the aircraft and safety
   • There is speculation about whether the plane had prior technical issues, how many approaches it made, and whether weather or runway conditions played a role, but official answers are still pending; people are being reminded to wait for the formal investigation report rather than jump to conclusions.

3. Conspiracy theories vs. “don’t politicise”
   • As often happens after high‑profile crashes, some online discussions hint at conspiracy or sabotage, while many journalists and political leaders insist on treating it as an aviation accident until evidence says otherwise.

4. What this means for Maharashtra politics
   • Forum users and analysts are debating who might fill the vacuum in the NCP and the ruling alliance, what happens to the Pawar family’s hold over Baramati, and how this might shift alliances in the run‑up to future elections.

TL;DR: Ajit Pawar, NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy CM, died in a chartered plane crash near Baramati on 28 January 2026 while travelling from Mumbai; multiple probes are underway, Maharashtra has declared state mourning and a public holiday, and his last rites with full state honours are being held in Baramati, marking a major emotional and political moment for the state.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.