Baramati, Jan 28 (NationPress) The energetic Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar, affectionately known as Dada, tragically lost his life in a plane crash on Wednesday in Baramati. This devastating incident took place early this morning while he was en route to Baramati to participate in political rallies amidst the ongoing Pune zilla parishad and panchayat samitis elections.

The aircraft met with disaster during its landing, disintegrating upon impact. As news of his death quickly spread, the state of Maharashtra was enveloped in profound grief.

According to the DGCA reports, the other victims included Vidip Jadhav and Pinky Mali (PSO and attendant), along with two crew members, Captain Sumit Kapur and Captain Shambhavi Pathak. Ajit Pawar and the injured were rushed to a medical facility in Baramati in critical condition, but unfortunately, he succumbed while receiving treatment.

Initial reports indicated that Ajit Pawar had taken off from Mumbai this morning for a public gathering. He often used a small aircraft for these trips, and today was no exception. The crash reportedly occurred as the plane descended to land in a nearby field.

An observer near Baramati airport recounted that the ill-fated aircraft seemed “a bit unstable in the air” before it exploded on impact.

In an interview with a local Marathi news channel, the eyewitness stated she noticed the plane circling the airport early in the morning. “It circled once, and as it approached the runway, it hit the ground hard and exploded. The noise was immense, audible from our home,” she recounted. She described seeing debris from the aircraft thrown into the air by the explosion, with some parts landing close to her residence. “The plane tilted before descending, and witnessing the explosion was terrifying,” she added.

Another eyewitness remarked that the aircraft seemed to be losing control as it approached the ground. “It was about 100 feet above the runway, and we instinctively rushed toward it. Suddenly, we saw flames and heard a series of explosions that made it impossible to get close,” he said. “It was a massive fire, and later, we discovered that Pawar was on board. The news shocked us deeply,” he continued.

This tragic event marks the untimely conclusion of Ajit Pawar’s influential 'Dada Era' in Maharashtra politics. For over four decades, his presence has been a pivotal topic in political discussions across the state. He was widely regarded as a bold leader, the driving force behind the NCP, and a potential successor to Sharad Pawar. His unexpected passing has left both the Pawar family and the entire state reeling. Many were seen in tears as they confronted the wreckage of the downed aircraft.