Ajit Pawar plane crash: Sharad Pawar sees no conspiracy in Ajit's death, 'don't bring politics into it'

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Actor Riteish Deshmukh on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the death of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, saying the sudden loss of the NCP leader had left him “deeply shocked” and “heartbroken.”

“Deeply shocked and terribly heartbroken to learn that we have lost Ajit Dada in a tragic accident. One of Maharashtra's most dynamic leaders, he had zero tolerance for non-performance and constantly pushed and inspired those around him to excel,” he wrote on X.

Ajit Pawar plane crash live updates: A large crowd has gathered outside the Baramati hospital after the mortal remains of Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar were brought there, visuals shared by news agency ANI showed.

He died in a plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati earlier this morning.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed near his hometown Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said.

One witness told ANI that the aircraft appeared unstable as it descended before it hit the ground and went up in flames. “There was a massive explosion. After that, we rushed here and saw that the aircraft was on fire. There were 4-5 explosions in the aircraft again,” he said.

Residents nearby ran towards the area to try to help those on board, but the heat from the fire stopped many from getting close. The witness said the moment was distressing, adding that the intensity of the blast and the flames left people stranded, unable to do anything.

Ajit Pawar plane crash live updates: Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said: “This morning, a very tragic incident occurred. In extremely unforeseen circumstances, the news of the unfortunate demise of our state’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, in an aircraft accident reached everyone, spreading a wave of grief across Maharashtra.”

He added, “For Maharashtra, today is an extremely difficult day. Such leadership takes many years to develop, and at a time when he was making very significant contributions to the state’s development, his passing is both unbelievable and shocking. Personally, I have lost a strong and generous friend. This is also an enormous loss for his family.”

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde are heading to Baramati, and that the further course of action will be decided after speaking with Ajit Pawar’s family.

He also announced a state mourning of three days over Ajit Pawar’s death. Today has also been declared a holiday in the state to mourn the loss.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said that the plane crash in Baramati will be probed.

Pawar was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state, they added.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday, was flying onboard an civil aircraft that has had a patchy track record.

Pawar was flying onboard an civil aircraft that has had a patchy track record. The plane, according to the DGCA, was Learjet 45 model with registration number VT-SSK and crashed at Baramati Airport in Pune at 8:45 am on Wednesday.

Attention has turned to a 2023 aviation accident involving the same aircraft model: the Bombardier Learjet 45XR.

It's important to note that while the make of the aircraft was the same, the 2023 runway incursion in Mumbai involved a different small jet. Pawar was travelling in a Learjet 45 aircraft with the registration label VT-SSK. The aircraft involved in the earlier accident had the registration lable VT-DBL. More details here.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that she was shocked by the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Pune district.

“Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden 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,” Banerjee said in a post on X.

She also called for a proper inquiry into what happened.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), four people were present inside the aircraft, apart from deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

Pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak accompanied Pawar on his Lear jet 45, VT-SSK aircraft which crashed in Baramati.

Mumbai PSO HC and Pawar's security staff Vidhit Jadhav along with flight attendant Pinky Mali were also on board the aircraft.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Visuals of the wreckage of the aircraft that crashed in Baramati shared by news agency ANI showed a large number of people at the site as officials and authorities reviewed the situation.

Pawar and four others were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Videos of the plane crash showed billows of smoke rising from some of the burning wreckage of the plane, scattered across an open field.

Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware told Hindustan Times that the aircraft, VT SSK, was attempting landing and the aircraft went on the side of the runway and exploded on crashing. He said it was Lear Jet 45 and was chartered from Mumbai.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: President Droupadi Murmu condoled the death of Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

She wrote in a post on X: “The news of the death of several people, including Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, is extremely tragic. The untimely demise of Ajit Pawar ji is an irreparable loss. He will always be remembered for his special contribution to the development of Maharashtra, especially in the cooperative sector. I express my deep condolences to his family, supporters, and admirers. May God grant strength to the families of all others who lost their lives in this accident to bear this blow.”

Ajit Pawar death news updates: In a post on X, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, “The news of the demise of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar Ji and his fellow travelers in an airplane accident today is extremely heartbreaking.”

He added, “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.”

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde has reacted to the NCP leader's death.

He told reporters, “Ajit Pawar’s demise is a great loss to the state. He was a studious, courageous and disciplined leader with a strong command over the administration. He never hesitated to say no to schemes and projects that would have put an unnecessary burden on the state exchequer. He was like an elder brother to me.”

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X that the incident is “deeply shocking and profoundly distressing”.

“It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead. No words can adequately express the immense grief that the bereaved family must be enduring during this difficult hour. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Pawar family, his supporters and well-wishers. Having served the people of Maharashtra in various constitutional capacities, Shri Ajit Pawar shall be remembered as a seasoned politcian who discharged his responsibilities towards his people with sincerity and astuteness,” he added.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told PTI news agency, "This is very sad news. From our side, we extend our condolences and sympathies to the entire Pawar family and all their supporters. I have also spoken to Supriya ji and his wife."

Ajit Pawar death news updates: NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar has left for Baramati from his residence after the death of the Maharashtra deputy CM.

Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and his sister Supriya Sule are also heading to Baramati.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Remembering NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Union home minister Amit Shah said, “Today, the news of the loss of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and our senior NDA colleague Ajit Pawar ji in a tragic accident has left my heart deeply distressed.”

“The way Ajit Pawar ji dedicated himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three and a half decades cannot be expressed in words. Whenever we met, he would engage in long discussions on numerous issues related to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra. His passing is a personal loss not only for the NDA family but also for me,” he added.

“I express my deepest condolences to the Pawar family. In this hour of grief, the entire NDA stands firmly with the bereaved Pawar family. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet.”

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over Ajit Pawar’s death and said, “Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers.”

Ajit Pawar death news updates: In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment of profound grief.”

Ajit Pawar death news updates: After the crash in Baramati, NCP working president Praful Patel, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, and the family of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar, including his wife Sunetra Pawar and sons Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar, are travelling from Delhi to Baramati in Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Union defence minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the news and extended condolences to the NCP leader's family.

“Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers,” he said in a post on X.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Union Minister Giriraj Singh called the incident unfortunate and called Ajit Pawar's death an “irreparable loss”.

“This is a really unfortunate incident...Reports are coming in that Ajit Pawar was also onboard. If it is true, then this is a highly unfortunate day...This is a heart-rending incident. May God give strength to the affected families...He was not just the Deputy CM of Maharashtra but also a well-known politician in the country. This is an irreparable loss," he told ANI.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar and his sister Supriya Sule are heading to Baramati after the plane crash led to the deaths of 5 people, including the Maharashtra deputy CM and NCP leader, HT has learnt.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadanvis to get details and updates on the Baramati plane crash, the Maharashtra government was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Ajit Pawar death news updates: Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware told Hindustan Times that the aircraft, VT SSK, was attempting landing and the aircraft went on the side of the runway and exploded on crashing. He said it was Lear Jet 45 and was chartered from Mumbai.

The Baramati airport, which was run by a private operator, was recently handed over to Maharashtra airport development company.