Ajit Pawar dies n Plane Crash

Mumbai/Baramati | Wednesday: NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a tragic plane crash this morning while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati, officials said. Four others on board—including two pilots and Pawar’s security personnel—were also killed.

The small chartered aircraft took off from Mumbai at around 8.10 am and crashed near Baramati airport during a landing attempt roughly half an hour later. The DGCA confirmed that all five passengers on board died in the crash.

Visuals from the site showed thick smoke, flames, mangled aircraft debris and ambulances rushing to the scene. Pawar was scheduled to address four public meetings ahead of next month’s local body elections.

Ajit Pawar, 66, was the nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar and cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. Both were in Delhi for the Budget session and are expected to travel to Maharashtra. Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra and sons Parth and Jay.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the death “shocking and saddening,” while senior leaders across parties expressed grief. Further details on the cause of the crash are awaited.