Ajit Pawar's Wristwatch Identifies Him After Baramati Plane Crash Tragedy
Ajit Pawar's body identified in Baramati plane crash by his iconic Royal Oak wristwatch linked to NCP's clock symbol.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a towering NCP figure, perished in a horrific Learjet crash near Baramati on Wednesday morning, January 28, 2026, plunging the state into grief. The 66-year-old was en route from Mumbai to campaign for Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, planning four rallies in his Baramati stronghold. All five aboard, including pilots, died instantly; the National Investigation Bureau cited preliminary bird strike and fuel issues.
Amid charred, dismembered remains, forensic teams faced a grim challenge, but Ajit Pawar's body was identified by his distinctive Gerald Genta-designed Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wristwatch—worth Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore. A viral video captured rescuers pointing to the melted yet recognizable timepiece on a severed wrist, its iconic octagonal bezel and tapisserie dial unmistakable. Party workers noted the irony: the clock, NCP's election symbol Ajit fiercely retained after his 2023 split from uncle Sharad Pawar, now marked his end.
Ajit, famed for punctuality, amassed a collection of luxury watches including Rolex Submariners and Omega Seamasters, often spotted during marathon workdays starting at 6 AM. A close aide revealed, "Dada's Royal Oak was a 15-year companion; he flew to save time, embodying the clock's precision in politics." Celebrities like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Anant Ambani own similar models, but Ajit's symbolized his relentless drive—from irrigation minister to Deputy CM thrice over.
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The crash site, 100 km from Pune, saw over 1,000 NCP workers gather, chanting "Ajit Dada Zindabad" as DNA tests confirmed identities by evening. Baramati Agro Ltd., his power base, halted operations; tributes poured from PM Narendra Modi ("A visionary lost") and Rahul Gandhi ("Deep condolences"). The tragedy halts NCP's election momentum, spotlighting aviation safety in rural routes.
Ajit's legacy endures: 40 years in politics, championing Baramati's development via sugar cooperatives and infrastructure. He navigated alliances—from UPA to NDA—retaining NCP's clock symbol via Supreme Court battles. His death, weeks before polls, raises questions on party succession, with wife Sunetra Pawar eyed as heir. As investigations probe pilot error and maintenance lapses, Maharashtra declares three days' mourning. His funeral in Baramati, will draw lakhs, honoring the man whose watch outlasted the inferno.
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