Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar died on January 28, 2026, after the aircraft carrying him crash landed in Baramati, Pune district. The DGCA confirmed that everyone on board, including four others, was killed. The plane was a Learjet 45 from Delhi-based charter company VSR. Mr. Pawar had left Mumbai that morning to attend a rally in Baramati. Known as Dada to his supporters, Ajit Pawar was a major figure in Maharashtra politics for over four decades. He began politics in the 1980s under his uncle Sharad Pawar’s wing. Ajit Pawar first won the Baramati Lok Sabha seat in 1991. Despite his rise in politics, Ajit split from his uncle to ally with the BJP and became Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister five times under various governments. He once said, “I want to become Chief Minister one day and implement my own plans for the people’s welfare.” This is a developing story. More details are awaited.