A miraculous escape turned tragic for Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar when his plane crash-landed at Baramati Airport amid an emergency maneuver. Departing Mumbai at dawn for election rallies, the flight met disaster around 9 AM, igniting a massive fire that lit up the small airstrip.
Debris littered the area as per viral photos, with emergency responders battling blazes and evacuating survivors. DGCA reports confirm six deaths, including crew and passengers, while the injured received urgent care. Pawar’s presence on the manifest sparked immediate concern, but unconfirmed reports suggest he emerged relatively unscathed.
This high-stakes journey was meant to bolster NCP’s position ahead of local elections in Pawar’s hometown. The crash’s timing couldn’t be worse, derailing schedules and prompting a political pause. Investigators from the aviation ministry descended on Baramati, scrutinizing weather logs, maintenance records, and pilot communications.
Pawar’s resilience has long defined his career—from rebellion against his uncle Sharad Pawar to steering NCP through splits. Today’s ordeal adds another chapter, testing his leadership amid grief. Public figures rallied with prayers, while opposition voices called for a thorough safety audit of political flights.
The Baramati incident revives memories of past aviation tragedies involving Indian leaders, urging reforms in VIP air travel protocols. As families grapple with loss and the probe deepens, Maharashtra holds its breath, pondering the fragility of power in the face of fate.