NEW DELHI: Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in India, and four others lost their lives on Wednesday due to the crash of a chartered plane. Indian media reported that Pawar was traveling from Mumbai to his hometown, Baramati, to participate in local election campaigns. The Indian Aviation Authority confirmed that none of the passengers survived the crash. Ajit Pawar was a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Narendra Modi and played a supportive role in the Maharashtra government. He had previously left the opposition Indian National Congress in 2023 and was leading a faction in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, stating, “Ajit Pawar was a dedicated and hardworking politician with a close connection to the people. His sudden passing is truly heartbreaking. I extend my condolences to his family and supporters.”
