Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar has died in a tragic plane crash in Baramati. India Today reported that the chartered plane was attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport.
The two pilots of the aircraft, along with the Deputy CM's two security personnel, have also died in the airplane crash. Thick smoke and flames were seen rising from the aircraft, as visuals from the crash site showed debris scattered all around.
Will Pawar's death create a political crisis in Maharashtra?
After the Mahayuti stormed back to power in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde were appointed as the Deputy CMs of the state, while Devendra Fadnavis assumed the role of the Chief Minister.
In the recently concluded local body elections in Maharashtra, the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP didn't ally with the BJP and the Shiv Sena. Instead, the party formed an alliance with Sharad Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party in the Pune municipal elections. Even in the BMC elections, Ajit Pawar's party fought alone, but drew a blank.
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As Ajit Pawar's party is still a part of the Mahayuti alliance in the state assembly, no political upheavals are expected at the moment. Pawar's death leaves Eknath Shinde as the only deputy to CM Fadnavis. However, further developments are yet to be seen.
The plane crash in Baramati
The reason behind the crash is still unknown. Officials have yet to confirm the exact condition of the 66-year-old leader.
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Pawar had been in Mumbai on Tuesday for a Cabinet meeting. He was travelling to Baramati to attend a series of public programmes. Soon after news of the incident emerged, Baramati MP and Pawar's cousin, Supriya Sule, left Delhi for Maharashtra, where she was attending the Parliament's Budget session. His wife Sunetra Pawar and son Parth Pawar have also departed for Baramati, India Today reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take stock of the situation and sought updates on the Baramati plane crash, according to India Today.
