NEW DELHI: A devastating Wednesday morning unfolded in Pune district's Baramati as a tragic plane crash claimed the life of Maharashtra's deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief, Ajit Pawar. The 66-year-old politician, who held the distinction of being the longest-serving deputy chief minister in the state's history, perished in the incident, sending shockwaves across the political landscape.
A Grim Pattern of Aviation Tragedies in Indian Politics
This heartbreaking event adds another name to a somber list of high-profile Indian political figures who have lost their lives in aviation accidents over the decades. The incident underscores a recurring pattern of tragedy that has affected leaders across party lines and regions.
Recent Tragedy: Vijay Rupani (2025)
Just months before this crash, in June 2025, a London-bound Air India Boeing Dreamliner met with disaster shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 passengers. Among the victims was former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, a prominent BJP leader. Rupani was traveling to London to visit family when Air India Flight 171 crashed on June 12, never leaving the city's confines. He had served as Gujarat's chief minister from 2016 to 2021, leaving behind a significant political legacy.
Historical Incidents: A Chronology of Loss
Sanjay Gandhi (1980): Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi, son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, died in an aviation accident at the young age of 33. On June 23, 1980, he was piloting a two-seater aircraft that crashed near Delhi's Safdarjung Airport. At the time, Sanjay Gandhi wielded enormous political influence and was seen as a rising star in Indian politics.
Madhavrao Scindia (2001): Senior Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia, a member of Madhya Pradesh's influential royal family, died in a chartered plane crash on September 30, 2001, in Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri district. He was traveling to Kanpur to address a political rally when the crash abruptly ended his life. Notably, Scindia had previously served as Union civil aviation minister in the Narasimha Rao government, adding a poignant layer to his tragic demise.
GMC Balayogi (2002): On March 3, 2002, Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi died in a Bell 206 helicopter crash in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district. The helicopter lost altitude while returning from Bhimavaram and struck a coconut palm in Kovvadalanka village, approximately 100 kilometers from Vijayawada. The incident highlighted the risks associated with aerial travel in remote areas.
Dorjee Khandu (2011): Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu died in 2011 after his helicopter went missing near the China border. His body was recovered days later, along with the remains of four others on board—two pilots, his security officer, and a relative of a Tawang MLA. This tragedy underscored the challenges of aviation in mountainous and border regions.
OP Jindal (2005): Industrialist and Congress leader Om Prakash Jindal died in a helicopter crash in March 2005 in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district. The chairman of the OP Jindal Group and Haryana's power minister was traveling with three others, including the son of then Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal. This incident demonstrated how aviation accidents can claim lives across the spectrum of politics and business.
Reflections on Safety and Legacy
The death of Ajit Pawar in the Pune plane crash serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by public figures who frequently travel by air. Each of these tragedies has left indelible marks on India's political history, prompting discussions about aviation safety protocols and the personal risks undertaken by leaders in service to the nation. As investigations into the latest crash proceed, the nation mourns not only Pawar but also reflects on the broader pattern of loss that has touched multiple generations of Indian leadership.
