The End of an Era: Remembering Ajit Pawar (1959–2026)
The End of an Era: Remembering Ajit Pawar (1959–2026) The End of an Era: Remembering Ajit Pawar (1959–2026) The news that broke on the morning of January 28, 2026, has left a profound void in the heart of Indian politics. Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a towering figure in the state’s socio-political landscape, passed away in a tragic plane crash near Baramati. For a man who lived his life at a relentless pace, always on the move for his people, the suddenness of this tragedy feels particularly surreal. The Incident: A Routine Flight Turned Tragic Early Wednesday morning, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) took off from Mumbai, carrying Ajit Pawar, his personal staff, and two crew members. He was en route to his home turf, Baramati, to attend a series of public rallies for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. According to reports from the DGCA, the aircraft encountered severe difficulties during its landing approach at Baramati Airport around 8:45 AM. Prelim...