Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and several others were killed on Wednesday morning when the aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the chartered plane, identified as a Learjet 45, went down close to the runway during an attempted touchdown and was engulfed in flames, leaving no survivors among the five people on board, including Pawar, two crew members and his aides.
Pawar, 66, an experienced politician and a veteran deputy chief minister, known for his long service in Maharashtra’s political landscape and his role in shaping state governance. He was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to participate in local election-related engagements when the tragedy struck. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with early inquiries focusing on the aircraft’s approach and landing conditions.
The news of Pawar’s sudden death has triggered an outpouring of grief across political circles and among citizens, with senior leaders expressing condolences and highlighting his contribution to public life.
A History of Aviation Disasters & Indian Leaders
Pawar’s death has drawn attention to a somber legacy of Indian political figures who have lost their lives in air crashesover the decades. While air travel remains indispensable for leaders covering large regions, several high-profile accidents have left lasting impacts.
* YS Rajasekhara Reddy – The then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh died in a helicopter crash in 2009 while flying through the Nallamala forests, a flight that underscored risks of VVIP travel in difficult terrain.
* G. M. C. Balayogi – The Lok Sabha Speaker died in a helicopter accident in 2002 in Andhra Pradesh.
* Madhavrao Scindia – A senior Congress leader and former Union minister, Scindia died in a private plane crash in 2001 en route to a political rally.
* Sanjay Gandhi – The Congress leader and son of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi died in 1980 when the private aircraft he was flying crashed shortly after take-off.
* Om Prakash Jindal and Surender Singh – The Haryana power minister and a colleague were among those killed in a helicopter crash in 2005.
* Dorjee Khandu – The then Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh perished in a helicopter accident in 2011.
These incidents, spanning fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, reflect the inherent risks of aerial travel in India’s diverse geographic and weather conditions, and have prompted periodic calls for improved safety measures for official flights.
