West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed profound grief and shock over the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash earlier today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The Chief Minister has also notably called for a thorough and “proper investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Mamata Banerjee’s Official Statement
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Banerjee shared her condolences and a sense of personal loss:
“Deeply shocked and stunned by the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji’s all friends and followers. The incident needs proper investigation.”
Details of the Tragedy
- The Incident: The crash occurred around 8:45 AM as the aircraft, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK), was attempting to land at the Baramati Airport in Pune district.
- Casualties: According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), all five individuals on board were killed. This includes Ajit Pawar (66), his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members (the pilot-in-command and the first officer).
- The Cause: Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft appeared unstable during its descent, veered off the runway, and exploded upon impact.
- The Purpose: Pawar was traveling from Mumbai to his home turf, Baramati, to address public meetings for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.
Nationwide Reactions
The tragedy has triggered an outpouring of grief across the political spectrum:
- PM Narendra Modi: Described Pawar as a “leader of the people” with a strong grassroots connect and expressed deep sorrow over the “untimely demise.”
- President Droupadi Murmu: Stated that his passing is an “irreparable loss” and highlighted his contribution to the development of Maharashtra.
- Sharad Pawar & Supriya Sule: The veteran leader and his daughter, who were in Delhi for the Budget Session, have rushed back to Maharashtra.