Mumbai: Maharashtra has declared a three-day state mourning following the tragic death of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier on Wednesday. Pawar was among five killed when his chartered Learjet 45XR veered off the runway and exploded during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport in Pune district.
The aircraft — en route from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport — crashed around 9:12 AM while Pawar headed to address public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. The were no survivors. Among others killed in the crash are two staff members, and two crew.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the mourning period, during which all government functions stand cancelled, and flags will fly at half-mast, reports said.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and home minister Amit Shah expressed condolences, with Modi calling it a “profound loss” to Maharashtra politics. Pawar, the longest-serving deputy CM across six terms under various governments, was a key NCP figure and nephew of party founder Sharad Pawar.
Tributes poured in from leaders like Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who termed it a “great loss,” and Eknath Shinde, who rushed to Baramati. Party workers broke down at the site, where charred wreckage and smoke marked the tragedy.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered a probe into the crash, reports said.
Pawar leaves behind wife Sunetra and sons Jay and Parth.
