The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will investigate the plane crash at Baramati airport that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, and four others on Wednesday morning, said a senior official of the AAIB.
The chartered Learjet 46, which was operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at the airport in Pune district after taking off from Mumbai early morning. Aviation regulator DGCA said it had Pawar and four others on board, including two of crew.
AAIB is a body responsible for carrying out detailed investigations into Indian airspace accidents and suggest measures to improve safety.
Pawar was headed to his hometown to address public meetings ahead of the Zila Parishad polls when his plane met with the tragic accident. It was said to be attempting to land a second time after having developed technical snag only an hour into the flight.
Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in following Pawar’s tragic and untimely demise, with leaders across party lines taking to the social media to express their condolences for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu expressed grief at Pawar’s death and said the deputy CM’s contributions to public life should be remembered.
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“Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Shri Ajit Pawar in the plane crash in Baramati earlier today. My sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and all those affected by this loss,” Naidu said in a post on X.
Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash as unbelievable, and said he had lost a good friend. The state government has declared January 28 a holiday and announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Pawar.
“Ajit Pawar’s death has left a void that will never be filled,” Fadnavis said, adding, “After working closely together, it is unbelievable that he is no more.”
Talking to reporters, the state CM described Pawar as a “people’s leader” who knew the state well and had a deep understanding of the issues in Maharashtra. He said it takes several years to build and establish such leadership.
Fadnavis shared that he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the tragedy, and also spoken with Ajit Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule and his son Parth Pawar.
“Both (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde and I are leaving for Baramati now. Once their entire family gathers in Baramati, we will share further details,” he said.
Union minister, Nitin Gadkari, and several other leaders also expressed shock, describing Pawar’s as an irreplaceable loss not just for the state but for the entire nation.
Gadkari said in a post on X that he shared a very close personal bond with Pawar, and termed his demise “extremely shocking, unfortunate, and heartbreaking”.
“My heartfelt tribute to him. For many years, while working together in the state legislature, I shared a very close relationship with Ajit dada. His administrative acumen, developmental vision, and ability to connect with people ensured Ajit dada’s unshakable place in Maharashtra’s politics,” the senior BJP leader said.
The premature death of this people’s leader, who aspired for Maharashtra's development, is not just an irreplaceable loss for the state, but the entire nation, Gadkari said. “In this moment of grief, my condolences are with the entire Pawar family. May God grant peace to the departed soul,” he added.
NCP leader and former state minister, Dhananjay Munde, said that Pawar was his “pillar of support”, while NCP’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district president and MLC Satish Chavan said that he has lost his “god”.
“I never felt that such a time would come. He (Pawar) brought me into politics. I have lost my god,” he told reporters.
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