नवीनतम
Ajit Pawar, five others killed in plane crash in Pune
PUNE [Maha Media]: An aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar crashed at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board.
Pawar, 66, was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state.
A DGCA official said the Maharashtra Deputy CM was aboard a VT-SSK Learjet 45 (LJ45) aircraft operated by VSR Aviation. The official confirmed that there were five people, including the crew, on the plane, and none survived. The Learjet 45 is a mid-size business jet aircraft produced by the Learjet Division of Bombardier Aerospace.
According to Flight Radar, the flight took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and it disappeared from radar around 8.45 am. The plane crashed at around 8.50 am.
"Ajit Pawar, Dy. CM Maharashtra, was onboard along with 2 more personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendant) and 2 crew (PIC+FO) members. As per initial information, no person on board has survived the crash," the DGCA official said.
The pilots who died in the crash were identified as Captain Sumit Kapoor and Captain Shambhavi Pathak. Quoting sources, PTI reported that the aircraft pilot had mentioned poor visibility near the runway before the aircraft attempted the landing.
Videos from the spot showed burning wreckage of the plane. Rescue teams were deployed immediately, while locals also rushed to help, but it was too dangerous to approach the burning aircraft.
As per Ajit Pawar's schedule, he was to campaign for the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, set to take place next month. He had four rallies planned for Wednesday.
The entire state of Maharashtra is gripped in shock with the news of Ajit Pawar's death in the plane crash. Considered one of the most fierce politicians of Maharashtra, the NCP chief had not only consolidated his position in the BJP-led Mahayuti, but also fortified his place in Maharashtra politics by becoming deputy chief minister for the sixth time after the 2024 Assembly Elections.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis announced a state holiday and three days of mourning following the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash this morning.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadanvis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family.
The Chief Minister said, "Today we have declared a state holiday, and three days of state mourning have also been announced. This is a completely irreparable loss for the whole state of Maharashtra."
Mourning Ajit Pawar's demise, Fadnavis said that there is a "wave of sorrow" across Maharashtra. He recalled Pawar as a hardworking leader and noted his contributions to the state.
Referring to the tragic incident as a personal loss, Devendra Fadnavis said, "Ajit Dada was a hardworking leader and did not shake in any circumstances. It is a difficult day for Maharashtra. It takes time to develop such leadership. He had major contribution to Maharashtra's development. His demise is shocking, and for me, it's a personal loss; a friend has left me. It's a very big loss for the family."
"Also, Eknath Shinde and I will leave for Baramati very soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Amit Shah ji have spoken to me about this, and they both have expressed their grief over the incident. This incident has spread a wave of sorrow all across Maharashtra. His last rights will be finalised after a discussion with the family. I have spoken to Supriya Tai (Supriya Sule) and Partha Pawar. Once we reach Baramati, we will talk to the family members, and then we will decide something about his funeral," he added.
A massive crowd has gathered outside Baramati hospital, where the mortal remains of Ajit Pawar have been brought. NCP working president Praful Patel, NCP (SCP) MP and Ajit Pawar's cousin Supriya Sule, along with Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar and son Parth Pawar, left for Baramati from New Delhi.
Ajit Pawar,66, was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.
Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra non-consecutively. He served in the position for six terms within various governments. He had worked as deputy chief minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.
He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.
