'Shocked And Saddened By Ajit Pawar's Death': PM Modi Posts Tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he is "shocked" by the "untimely" death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in an aircraft crash this morning.

Ajit Pawar, 66, was killed after an aircraft carrying him from Mumbai to his home turf of Baramati in Maharashtra crashed around 8:45 am. Four other persons were also killed in the crash.

In a post on X, PM Modi said that Ajit Pawar was a "leader of the people" who had a strong grassroots-level connection.

"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. Om Shanti," PM Modi wrote on X.

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… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026

The aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by a private company, VSR Ventures, caught fire after the crash.

According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed.

Indian media reporting the crash of a business jet this morning has claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and 4 others. The aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed. https://t.co/0RKiD9sZVU pic.twitter.com/1kcoWgc3I1

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 28, 2026

A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that there were five passengers onboard, including Ajit Pawar, his PSO and attendant, and two crew members (the pilot in command and the first officer).

The senior NCP leader was scheduled to address four election rallies in Baramati ahead of local body polls.

Ajit Pawar was born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, a village in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district. His father, Anantrao Pawar, worked at the renowned Rajkamal Studios in Mumbai (then Bombay). His academic pursuits were cut short after the death of his father.

He was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory when he was 23. His uncle Sharad Pawar was already an established Congress figure in state politics by 1982.

He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, the daughter of Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, a former Maharashtra minister, and two sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar.