In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s aircraft crashed during an emergency landing at Baramati Airport on Wednesday morning. The tragedy unfolded around 9 AM, just an hour after the plane took off from Mumbai, en route to political rallies ahead of local body elections.
Eyewitnesses and initial reports paint a grim picture: the plane burst into flames upon impact, scattering debris across the runway. Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the scene, with ambulances ferrying the injured to nearby hospitals. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed six fatalities in the crash, though details on the victims remain sketchy.
Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics and president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was scheduled to address rallies in Baramati, his political stronghold. Party insiders revealed he was on board, raising fears for his safety amid the chaos. As emergency services comb the wreckage, political leaders from across the spectrum expressed shock and prayed for his well-being.
This crash comes at a sensitive time for Pawar, who has been navigating turbulent political waters following his controversial alliance shifts. Investigations into the cause—mechanical failure, weather conditions, or pilot error—are underway, with the DGCA leading the probe. Maharashtra’s political landscape braces for uncertainty as updates trickle in.
The incident underscores the perils of air travel for public figures in India’s bustling aviation sector. Baramati Airport, a small facility often used by politicians, now stands as the epicenter of national attention. Families of those on board await heartbreaking news, while the nation mourns the loss of lives in yet another aviation mishap.
