Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (66) died in tragic plane crash at Baramati on Wednesday morning. DGCA said there were five passengers, including Deputy CM Ajit Pawar onboard along with two more personnel (one PSO and one attendant) and two crew members (pilot in command and the first officer).

DGCA confirmed a Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR crash-landed at Baramati. The Maharashtra Government declared a three-day State mourning till January 30^th.  Tthe national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings. There will be no official entertainment during the mourning period.

Prime Minister Modi said expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members of Ajit Pawar and expressed profound grief and said that he was deeply saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati. Modi prayed for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment.

Rahul Gandhi in his twitter post expressed condolences of the sudden demise of the Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is extremely heartbreaking. He said that the news of the demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar Ji and his fellow travellers in an airplane accident today is extremely heartbreaking. In this moment of grief, I stand with the people of Maharashtra. I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and their loved ones during this hour of sorrow.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed shock and grief over the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar and his co-passengers. She recalled that the death of Ajit Pawar was deep personal loss and she extended her condolences to Pawar’s family, including his uncle Sharad Pawar, and to his friends, followers, and supporters. She also emphasized the need for a proper investigation into the incident.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described Pawar’s demise as a profound loss to Indian politics and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, supporters and well‑wishers during this difficult time. Kharge also extended sympathies to all those affected by the accident, praying for strength and peace to the family and followers of the late leader.