Ajit Pawar's Final Phone Call Before Fatal Crash Emerges Amid Investigation
As investigators continue to probe whether the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was due to sabotage or a technical failure, a recording of a phone call he made just six minutes before the accident has now surfaced. The call, revealed by his cousin and party worker Shrijit Pawar, offers a poignant glimpse into Ajit Pawar's last moments and his commitment to inclusive politics.
Details of the Final Conversation
Ajit Pawar had spoken to Shrijit Pawar shortly before the aircraft went down at Baramati airport on January 28, 2026. Shrijit Pawar played the recording at a press conference on Tuesday, explaining that the call was made in response to a message he had sent about local election-related issues. Specifically, Shrijit Pawar had messaged Ajit Pawar suggesting that the Mali community be given representation in district council elections.
In response, Ajit Pawar called him directly from the aircraft to clarify the matter. "He told me that we are taking all communities along with us. I wanted the world to know that till his last breath, he worked with everyone, across caste and religion. 'We must move forward taking everyone together' was his last message and his last voice," Shrijit Pawar said.
Excerpt from the Phone Conversation
An excerpt from the phone conversation was shared, highlighting Ajit Pawar's stance. Ajit Pawar said, "We do not do things without information. We take all castes and communities along with us." Shrijit Pawar responded, "Ajit dada, I only shared what I felt with you." Ajit Pawar replied, "I agree, you are right. But I have already given a district council ticket to the Mali community. That seat falls under OBC reservation. Other parties have given different candidates. We have done our part." Shrijit Pawar then said, "Dada, you take the final decision you think is right."
Context of the Call and Investigation
Addressing doubts over why the call recording sounded incomplete, Shrijit Pawar explained that Ajit Pawar had directly begun speaking on the issue without formal greetings because he had already read the message and recognised the caller's number. "That is why the recording is only this much," he said.
Ajit Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati on January 28, 2026, for campaigning in the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. His aircraft was scheduled to land at Baramati airport at 8.45 am. According to officials, the pilot failed to land the aircraft on the first attempt. After circling once, the aircraft made a second attempt to land but veered off the runway and crashed in an open area near the airstrip. Ajit Pawar and five others were killed on the spot. The crash remains under investigation, with authorities examining all possible causes, including technical failures and potential sabotage.
Legacy and Personal Touch
Shrijit Pawar added that Ajit Pawar would always respond personally to messages and calls. "Whenever I had a problem, I would message him and he would call me back. Even today, while he was in the aircraft, he called me. Not only me, he would reply to anyone who called or messaged him," he said, underscoring the late leader's accessibility and dedication to his constituents.
