♦ Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has died in a plane crash at Maharashtra’s Baramati on 28 January 2026. The Civil Aviation Ministry informed that a Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) aircraft, operated by VSR, crash-landed at Baramati airport. Ajit Pawar was born on 22 July 1959 in Deolali Pravara, located in Rahuri taluka of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.

♦ Ajit Pawar’s political journey formally began in 1991, influenced by his uncle and mentor Sharad Pawar. He was Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra six times. He handled various ministries, including the Finance portfolio and presented the state budget 11 times.

♦ He served as the Chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank for 16 years. He was also the long-serving President of the Maharashtra State Olympic Association, Maharashtra Kho-Kho and Kabaddi Association.