Mumbai, Jan 28: In a tragic incident on Wednesday morning, Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, died in a plane crash. The crash occurred when the chartered plane he was traveling in, flying from Mumbai to Baramati, crash-landed at 8:45 am. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), five people on board, including the crew and Pawar, tragically lost their lives. The plane had two crew members, Ajit Pawar, a Personal Security Officer (PSO), and an attendant.

The crash occurred near the runway threshold in Baramati, Maharashtra. Pawar was headed to Baramati to attend a public rally for the upcoming Zilla Parishad Elections. Further details about the incident and its cause are still awaited.

Political Career and Legacy

Ajit Pawar, a prominent political figure, was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, holding the position across six non-consecutive terms in various governments. He served as Deputy Chief Minister under the leadership of several Chief Ministers, including Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde. His death marks a significant loss to Maharashtra's political landscape.

Pawar's political journey began in 1982, when he was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory. In 1991, he became the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank, solidifying his influence in the region. That same year, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Baramati constituency. Although he vacated the seat for his uncle, Sharad Pawar, he continued his political ascent, becoming a seven-time elected member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Baramati.

In 2019, Pawar made headlines by splitting from his party and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, where he was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister. In February 2024, the Election Commission recognized his faction of the NCP, granting it the party name and symbol.

Personal Life

Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, and their two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. His death is not only a major loss to his family but also to his supporters and colleagues in the political world.

Ajit Pawar's legacy in Maharashtra's political sphere, especially in the realm of cooperative politics and his leadership within the NCP, will continue to shape the state’s political dynamics for years to come. His sudden passing has left a deep void in both his party and the state's political landscape.