The aircraft was attempting to land at Baramati airport when the incident occurred, and all five people on board lost their lives.
Ajit Pawar was flying from Mumbai to Baramati to address a public meeting when the VT-SSK Learjet 45 crashed close to the threshold of Runway 11 during landing. Travelling with Ajit Pawar were a personal security officer, an attendant and two crew members, and officials stated that no one survived the crash.
Ajit Pawar plane crash details and official confirmation
A Directorate General of Civil Aviation official told PTI that the aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar and four others, including two crew members, crash-landed at Baramati airport and was completely damaged. Investigators are expected to examine the final approach, weather conditions and technical records of the VT-SSK Learjet 45 as part of the inquiry.
Ajit Pawar was among Maharashtra’s most influential leaders and was considered a central figure in state politics. A long-serving legislator from Baramati, Ajit Pawar held the post of Deputy Chief Minister several times and was widely known for strategic political moves that shaped coalition governments in the state after 2019.
Ajit Pawar plane crash and political journey in Maharashtra
Ajit Pawar’s political career started in 1982 when Ajit Pawar entered the board of a sugar cooperative, marking Ajit Pawar’s early role in the cooperative sector. Ajit Pawar then grew within the Nationalist Congress Party, gradually taking control of key portfolios and strengthening Ajit Pawar’s base in rural and urban regions of Maharashtra.
Ajit Pawar became an MLA in 1991 and had represented Baramati continuously since then. Over several terms, Ajit Pawar handled departments such as irrigation, finance and water resources, and developed a reputation as an effective administrator in those ministries, even as Ajit Pawar’s influence extended beyond Ajit Pawar’s home constituency.
In 2019, Ajit Pawar briefly broke ranks with the Nationalist Congress Party and allied with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis to form a government. That administration lasted only three days, yet Ajit Pawar later returned to the NCP fold, served as Deputy Chief Minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and subsequently joined the Shinde-BJP alliance in 2023.
Ajit Pawar was often described as a key power centre within Maharashtra politics and had earned the label “forever Deputy CM”. According to party records, Ajit Pawar never lost an election from Baramati, reinforcing Ajit Pawar’s image as a reliable electoral performer and a critical figure during government formation talks.
Ajit Pawar plane crash and financial disclosures from 2024 affidavit
Ajit Pawar’s financial details became public through an affidavit filed during the 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections, reported Jansatta. The document said Ajit Pawar’s total net worth was about Rs 124 crore. While contesting the Baramati assembly seat in 2024, Ajit Pawar disclosed significant movable and immovable assets to the Election Commission.
According to the affidavit, Ajit Pawar declared movable assets exceeding Rs 8.22 crore and immovable properties valued at Rs 37.15 crore. These holdings included vehicles, agricultural machinery, financial investments and precious items, reflecting Ajit Pawar’s long association with politics, agriculture-linked businesses and other financial ventures across Maharashtra.
The affidavit listed specific movable assets such as two cars a Toyota Camry and a Honda CRV along with a tractor and silver articles. Ajit Pawar also reported fixed deposits, shares and bonds among other instruments. These details were submitted with nomination papers for the Baramati seat in Pune district for the November 20 polls.
| Person | Type of asset | Declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Ajit Pawar | Total net worth | Around Rs 124 crore |
| Ajit Pawar | Movable assets | More than Rs 8.22 crore |
| Ajit Pawar | Immovable assets | Rs 37.15 crore |
| Sunetra Pawar | Movable assets | Rs 14.57 crore |
| Sunetra Pawar | Immovable assets | Rs 58.39 crore |
Jansatta reported that, when Ajit Pawar filed the affidavit, Ajit Pawar held cash of Rs 14.12 lakh and deposits of Rs 6.81 crore across various bank accounts. Ajit Pawar had invested more than Rs 55 lakh in bonds, debentures and shares of companies, indicating a diversified investment portfolio alongside political responsibilities.
The report further stated that Ajit Pawar had an LIC policy worth over Rs 1 crore. Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, held LIC policies valued at more than Rs 44 lakh. The affidavit also noted that Sunetra Pawar’s movable and immovable assets together exceeded Rs 72 crore, underlining the family’s substantial declared wealth.
Ajit Pawar plane crash impact on family and Maharashtra politics
Ajit Pawar is survived by spouse Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar. The sudden loss of Ajit Pawar in the Baramati plane crash leaves a major vacuum in Maharashtra’s political landscape, where Ajit Pawar played a pivotal role in coalition negotiations, governance decisions and constituency-level development for decades.