MAHARASHTRA DEPUTY CM AJIT PAWAR DIES IN LEARJET CRASH; STATE DECLARES 3-DAY MOURNING

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after a Learjet 45 aircraft carrying him from Mumbai to Baramati crashed while attempting to land near Baramati. The accident claimed the lives of all five people on board.

According to officials, the aircraft was carrying five passengers, including Ajit Pawar, two other personnel, and two crew members. There were no survivors.

India’s aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. As per sources, a Learjet Aircraft run by VSR had previously been involved in a similar incident on September 14, 2023, when another Learjet 45XR owned by the company, registered as VT-DBL, crash-landed at Mumbai airport.

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the country, prompting an outpouring of condolences from political leaders and citizens alike.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep grief over the loss, calling it “an unprecedented loss” for the state. “There is an atmosphere of sadness in Maharashtra. In my personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together,” Fadnavis said while announcing the period of mourning.

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President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were among the national leaders who extended their condolences. Leaders from the opposition also expressed grief, including Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi.

Several chief ministers from across the country, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also mourned the passing of the senior leader, remembering Ajit Pawar’s long political career and influence in Maharashtra’s public life.

In response to the death of the Deputy Chief Minister, the Maharashtra government has now announced three days of state mourning from January 28 to January 30, 2026.