Ajit Pawar’s death: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died when the plane they were traveling in crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The accident occurred when the aircraft was attempting to land at Baramati.
Pawar, 66, a senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, was aboard the Lear Jet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) which was flying from Mumbai to Baramati.
The nation is in mourning following the tragedy, with several prominent personalities including actors Riteish Deshmukh, Anupam Kher and MP Ravi Kishan expressing their condolences on Pawar’s death.
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Bollywood celebs mourn the tragic demise
Actor Riteish Deshmukh expressed deep shock and grief over the sudden and tragic demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The actor, who is the son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, paid an emotional tribute to Pawar, calling him “one of the most dynamic leaders of Maharashtra”.
Deshmukh praised the late leader for his unwavering commitment to his work, sharp intelligence and outspoken nature. Writing on He said Pawar never hesitated in speaking his mind, had unmatched intelligence and was widely liked across the state.
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Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar paid tribute to late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar by sharing a message on his X handle. Condoling his demise, the fashion director described Pawar as a great figure in the political scene of Maharashtra.
Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar ji. A towering personality in state politics, his loss is irreparable. My thoughts are with Sunetra ji, Parth, Jai and the entire Pawar family during this incredibly difficult time. Strength to them. #OmShanti pic.twitter.com/5KJUSoqqXu– Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) 28 January 2026
Actor Anupam Kher said that he is deeply shocked by the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In an emotional note he said that he remembered Pawar as a gentle and kind personality whenever they met.
Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Dada. Whenever I met him he was very gentle and kind! My thoughts are with his family. Om Shanti! pic.twitter.com/X0deqc6Z0W– Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) 28 January 2026
Actress Nimrat Kaur also mourned Pawar’s demise by sharing her condolences on her Instagram story.
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Actor Sanjay Dutt shares his thoughts after the tragic demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In his note, he described Pawar as a “dynamic leader”.
Shocked and saddened by this tragic loss. He was one of the most dynamic leaders who left behind an indelible impact. My deepest condolences to the family and everyone affected. Prayer for strength and peace. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/o0MW3pxHQu– Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) 28 January 2026
Actress Kangana Ranaut shared her reaction with ANI after learning about the news outside Parliament. Expressing her shock she said, “Oh my God, it’s terrible. It’s such a terrible news. There are not enough words to express. I am speechless. Let me align the emotions to make a statement.”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar died tragically in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all six passengers, including Pawar, lost their lives in the accident. The plane crashed while attempting to land near Baramati, about an hour after taking off from Mumbai.
After the accident, Pawar’s family has reached the accident site.
The Deputy Chief Minister was traveling to Baramati from Mumbai to attend a public meeting amid the ongoing Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.