5 Key Updates: Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Reported Near Baramati

Pune, January 28: Nothing about this morning felt normal after the first alerts came in. People were still sipping tea, getting children ready for school, when television screens suddenly changed tone. The ticker slowed. Anchors stopped speculating and started choosing their words carefully. Across channels, the same line appeared. Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief, had reportedly died in a plane crash near Baramati.

The word “reportedly” did a lot of heavy lifting. And yet, the silence from official quarters made the news feel heavier, not lighter.

What People Saw On The Ground

According to multiple television reports, the aircraft was trying to land at Baramati airport shortly after 8.30 am when something went wrong. Viewers soon saw visuals that were hard to look away from. Smoke rising straight into the winter sky. Burnt remains near the airstrip. Fire engines are parked at odd angles.

Locals told reporters they heard a loud noise, followed by flames. Police quickly blocked off roads. Villagers stood at a distance, craning their necks, trying to understand what had just happened in their backyard.

Initial reports said there were five to six people on board the aircraft. Several channels stated that no one survived, but officials at the site avoided giving numbers. They repeated the same line. Identification is underway. Details will be shared later.

Why Baramati Hit Hard

For people outside Maharashtra, Baramati may sound like just another town. For those here, it is Ajit Pawar’s home turf.

This is where his political journey took shape. Where elections were fought fiercely. Where his word carried weight. On Wednesday, he was supposed to attend four public programmes in the area. Preparations had begun early. Chairs were lined up. Banners were ready.

Then phones started buzzing.

Within minutes, everything stopped. Loudspeakers were switched off. Party workers stood around quietly. Some sat on the ground. Others kept calling seniors, hoping someone would say the reports were wrong.

The town did not panic. It simply went quiet.

A Leader Everyone Had An Opinion About

At 66, Ajit Pawar was not a fading politician. He was right in the middle of things.

He had served as Deputy Chief Minister more than once, survived political storms, and played a central role in reshaping Maharashtra’s power equations. Supporters called him efficient and decisive. Critics called him blunt and intimidating.

But even critics agreed on one thing. He mattered.

His recent moves within the Nationalist Congress Party and his alignment with the ruling side changed how politics worked in the state. Bureaucrats paid attention when he spoke. Allies depended on him. Rivals watched him closely.

If the reports of his death are confirmed, Maharashtra politics will not just pause. It will reset.

Tension Inside Government Circles

In Mumbai, the mood inside Mantralaya was described as tense but controlled. Work continued, but conversations were short. Senior officials avoided the press. Ministers did not rush to social media.

Political leaders from different parties posted carefully worded messages. Shock. Prayers. Hope. Very few used the word “death”. That caution said enough.

Security around key buildings was quietly reviewed, according to sources. No announcements. No sirens. Just preparation.

Questions With No Answers Yet

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is expected to investigate the crash once the site is fully secured.

Experts on television urged patience. Emergency landings, especially at smaller airstrips like Baramati, leave almost no room for mistakes. Weather, technical issues, pilot response, runway conditions. Everything will be checked.

As of now, there is no official explanation of what caused the crash. There is also no written confirmation from the state government on casualties, despite widespread media reports.

A State Waiting, Quietly

What stood out throughout the day was how quiet Maharashtra felt.

Tea stalls were open, but conversations were muted. Offices functioned, but eyes kept drifting back to television screens. In villages and cities alike, the same question kept coming up. Is it confirmed?

Journalists at the crash site continued to repeat the same warning. This is breaking news. Information is still coming in. Official word is awaited.

For now, the state remains caught between shock and certainty. The impact is already being felt. The facts are still settling.

Clarity will come. Until then, the silence from those in authority feels heavier than any headline.

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Ananya Sharma

Senior Political Correspondent – Ananya@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers Indian politics, governance, and policy developments with over a decade of experience in political reporting.

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