Ajit Pawar's Death in Tragic Baramati Plane Crash Alters Maharashtra's Political Landscape

Maharashtra plunged into mourning on January 28, 2026, following the sudden death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a devastating plane crash. The 66-year-old Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief, along with four others including crew members, perished when their chartered Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crashed during landing at Baramati airport in Pune district. Pawar was en route from Mumbai to address public rallies ahead of upcoming Zilla Parishad elections in his stronghold. The aircraft attempted multiple approaches before crashing in flames near the runway, with poor visibility cited as a possible factor. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe into the incident.

Pawar’s demise marks a seismic shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape. As a key architect of the Mahayuti alliance—comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and his NCP faction—he served as a crucial counterweight in the coalition. His 2023 split from uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction reshaped alliances, helping secure a strong Assembly win in 2024. Recent tensions, including intra-alliance rivalries in local polls and Pawar’s sharp criticisms of allies, had already strained ties. His absence leaves the BJP navigating delicate balances, particularly with Shinde’s ambitions, while preventing potential defections from Ajit Pawar’s MLAs to the opposition.

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The future of the NCP hangs in uncertainty without its dominant mass leader. Pawar’s faction outperformed Sharad Pawar’s in recent elections, solidifying its claim as the primary NCP. Speculation about a family reunion had surfaced, but Pawar’s death eliminates that prospect. Potential successors like Sunetra Pawar, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, or others face intense jostling, risking internal fractures or an existential crisis if factions merge under contested leadership. Pawar’s grassroots connect and administrative acumen leave a void hard to fill.

Tributes poured in from across the spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it “shocking and saddening,” praising Pawar’s people-centric leadership. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Sharad Pawar, and opposition figures expressed profound grief. The state declared three days of mourning, with Pawar’s funeral held with full honors in Baramati on January 29, attended by top leaders including Modi and Amit Shah. This tragedy not only robs Maharashtra of a seasoned politician but intensifies instability in its ruling coalition amid ongoing frictions.

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