India’s Deputy Chief Minister, Four Others Die In Plane Crash

A political trip turned tragic on Wednesday after a private jet carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, and four others crashed, killing all passengers on board.

The incident occurred shortly after the Learjet 45 aircraft departed from Mumbai to Baramati, Pawar’s hometown and political stronghold in western India.

The jet, operated privately, was said to have crash-landed in an open field, bursting into flames and leaving no survivors, according to aviation authorities.

The flight was meant to be a short journey, approximately 159 miles, but it ended in disaster, cutting short a familiar political routine.

The 66-year-old Pawar, two members of his personal staff, and two crew members were all killed in the crash, which television footage later showed engulfed in thick smoke, with rescue services confirming no escape was possible.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which confirmed the fatalities, said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.

“All five occupants of the aircraft have died,” a DGCA spokesperson said.

Pawar, who served as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra under the ruling coalition aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was a towering figure in state politics, commanding deep influence in the rural heartlands of the sugar-producing region.

His aides, described as part of a close-knit team, had accompanied him through years of political campaigns and administrative work. Their deaths alongside their principal further deepened the sorrow.

The crew, who were responsible for the aircraft’s safe transit, were also confirmed dead.

The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief across Maharashtra’s political landscape, with condolences pouring in from colleagues, rivals, and national leaders.

Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Modi expressed his shock over the loss.

“His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers.

“His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy,” Modi said on his official 𝕏 handle.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, but investigators are expected to retrieve flight data recorders and cockpit voice logs to reconstruct the final moments.