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2 months ago
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, several others die in plane crash in Baramati
Summary
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and several others died in a plane crash on Wednesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.
Pawar was travelling with two other personnel (one PSO and one attendant) and two crew members (PIC and FO), as per the DGCA.
The aviation watchdog said that there were no survivors, adding that the aircraft was a Learjet 45 operated by VSR. The aircraft registration was VT-SSK.
The plane, which was flying from Mumbai to Baramati, crash-landed at its destination at around 8.45 am.
Footage from the scene showed the plane’s mangled wreckage, with ambulances rushing the injured to nearby hospitals.
Kiran Gujar, a close aide of Ajit Pawar, confirmed to Hindustan Times that the Maharashtra deputy chief minister had perished in the crash. Gujar is currently at the local hospital where the victims' bodies were taken.
“The aircraft VT SSK was attempting a landing, and the aircraft went off the side of the runway and crashed,” Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware told HT.
Details on what caused the emergency landing attempt and subsequent crash are still awaited.
Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the crash took place.
The NCP leader was 66 years old and is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.
As news of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader's death broke, leaders from across the country mourned his passing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, ANI reported.
Shortly afterwards, the Prime Minister posted a tribute on X, writing, “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.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed anguish at Pawar's passing, writing, “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.”
“This is a really unfortunate incident...Reports are coming in that Ajit Pawar was also onboard. If it is true, then this is a highly unfortunate day...This is a heart-rending incident. May God give strength to the affected families...He was not just the Deputy CM of Maharashtra but also a well-known politician in the country. This is an irreparable loss,” Union Minister Giriraj Singh said.
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy also expressed his condolences, saying, “It is very shocking and sad news. I express my condolences to his family.”
“We are getting really sad news about Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. I pray that God gives strength to his family members and party members at this time. We stand with his family during this hour,” said Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.
Billionaire and industrialist Gautam Adani also paid tribute to the departed Dy CM, writing, “Just a month ago, we stood together in Baramati for the inauguration of the Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in AI - a moment that reflected Ajit ji's vision, his belief in progress and his commitment to Bharat’s youth and her future."
"May we honour his legacy by continuing the work he championed to build a future-ready Maharashtra,” Adani added.
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Pawar was travelling with two other personnel (one PSO and one attendant) and two crew members (PIC and FO), as per the DGCA.
The aviation watchdog said that there were no survivors, adding that the aircraft was a Learjet 45 operated by VSR. The aircraft registration was VT-SSK.
The plane, which was flying from Mumbai to Baramati, crash-landed at its destination at around 8.45 am.
Footage from the scene showed the plane’s mangled wreckage, with ambulances rushing the injured to nearby hospitals.
Kiran Gujar, a close aide of Ajit Pawar, confirmed to Hindustan Times that the Maharashtra deputy chief minister had perished in the crash. Gujar is currently at the local hospital where the victims' bodies were taken.
“The aircraft VT SSK was attempting a landing, and the aircraft went off the side of the runway and crashed,” Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware told HT.
Details on what caused the emergency landing attempt and subsequent crash are still awaited.
Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the crash took place.
The NCP leader was 66 years old and is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.
As news of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader's death broke, leaders from across the country mourned his passing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, ANI reported.
Shortly afterwards, the Prime Minister posted a tribute on X, writing, “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.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed anguish at Pawar's passing, writing, “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.”
“This is a really unfortunate incident...Reports are coming in that Ajit Pawar was also onboard. If it is true, then this is a highly unfortunate day...This is a heart-rending incident. May God give strength to the affected families...He was not just the Deputy CM of Maharashtra but also a well-known politician in the country. This is an irreparable loss,” Union Minister Giriraj Singh said.
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy also expressed his condolences, saying, “It is very shocking and sad news. I express my condolences to his family.”
“We are getting really sad news about Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. I pray that God gives strength to his family members and party members at this time. We stand with his family during this hour,” said Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.
Billionaire and industrialist Gautam Adani also paid tribute to the departed Dy CM, writing, “Just a month ago, we stood together in Baramati for the inauguration of the Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in AI - a moment that reflected Ajit ji's vision, his belief in progress and his commitment to Bharat’s youth and her future."
"May we honour his legacy by continuing the work he championed to build a future-ready Maharashtra,” Adani added.
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AI Description
The article reports on a tragic plane crash involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The crash resulted in no survivors, highlighting a significant aviation disaster.