Tragic Death of Maharashtra CM in Plane Crash During Landing
On Wednesday morning, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and four other passengers lost their lives, when their flight Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crash landed at Baramati Airport in Pune after taking off from Mumbai at around 8.10 am. The Learjet, operated by VSR Ventures, went down during its final approach to Baramati Airport.
Eyewitnesses said that the aircraft appeared unstable on approach and drifted off the runway, crashing violently into the ground. Witnesses reported that the crash caught fire, making rescue efforts impossible. Officials said that the bad weather conditions (heavy fog with low visibility at around 800 meters) may have contributed to the crash. However, authorities are also investigating into technical issues or possible loss of control on part of the aircraft.
Passengers on Board
The Learjet carried five people including Mr. Pawar, his personal security officer Mr. Sumit Kapoor, an attendant Ms. Pinky Malil and the pilot in command and the first officer. All five individuals died in the accident, according to local witnesses who stated that they heard a loud explosion and then saw bodies around the crash site, suggesting that there are no survivors from the crash.
Mr. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend in public meetings regarding the upcoming February 5th,Zilla Parishad elections.
Immediate Political Response
The Maharashtra government declared three days of state mourning after the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis cancelled his Konkan rally in order to travel with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to Baramati. He described Ajit Pawar as “one of the hardest working leaders and one of his strongest friends.”
Politicians across the country expressed grief on Ajit Pawar’s death. PM Narendra Modi referred to Ajit Pawar’s demise as a “deeply shocking” event and acknowledged his great dedication and commitment in connecting with people at grassroot level and public service. Many others like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, C.P. Radhakrishnan (Governor of Maharashtra) and Pinarayi Vijayan (CM of Kerala), Sanjay Raut, and Nana Patole also condoled the loss.
Ajit Pawar’s Political Legacy
Ajit Pawar leaves behind an impressive political legacy having been governor (Deputy Chief Minister) for more than 25 years (6 non-consecutive terms) and serving in the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1991. He has represented the Baramati assembly constituency in each of the last seven elections. In addition to his position as Deputy Minister, he has been Minister of Finance, and Minister of Planning for the State of Maharashtra, and launched initiatives such as the “Ladli Behen Yojana.” Ajit Pawar developed a reputation as a hard working leader who was well connected with the people.
Regarding the Aircraft & the Operator
There are reports of several aircraft accidents involving the Bombardier Aerospace Learjet 45 including emergency landings due to equipment malfunctions and adverse weather conditions. VSR Ventures is a New Delhi-based company that owns the aircraft; they place a high emphasis on both safety and operational standards. All of their aircraft are operated by experienced pilots.
Investigation & The Aftermath
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed the crash and will initiate an investigation of the accident. Investigating authorities will provide more updates after the conclusion of rescue and recovery operations. The death of Pawar has shocked Maharashtra and the country, creating a significant void in both the political landscape of the State and its citizens, who he served for decades.
