Ajit Pawar's Final Morning: A Planned Visit to Mother Before Tragic Demise
On Wednesday, January 30, 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had a clear plan upon his scheduled 8:45 am landing in Baramati. His first priority was to meet his mother at their Katewadi home, followed by a full day of campaigning for party candidates in the Zilla Parishad elections. Tragically, fate intervened, as Ajit Pawar perished in a plane crash at Baramati airport along with four others, including the pilot and co-pilot.
Last-Minute Instructions and a Heartbreaking Routine
NCP leader Kiran Gujar, whose association with the Pawar family spans four decades, received a call from Ajit Pawar around 7 am that morning. "He asked me to come to the airport as he wanted to hand over some papers relating to the elections," Gujar recalled. Ajit Pawar specifically mentioned his intention to proceed to Katewadi to meet his mother immediately after landing, before embarking on a campaign schedule that would last until 6 pm.
Gujar emphasized that this was not an unusual request. Whenever Ajit Pawar arrived in Baramati, he would invariably visit his Katewadi home to spend time with his mother. "Even when he was extremely busy, he used to make it a point to meet his mother. If it was not possible for him to meet her for half an hour, then he would at least be with her for five minutes," Gujar said. On less hectic days, Ajit Pawar would extend his visit, spending quality time with his mother before visiting their nearby farm.
The Fateful Morning: Witnessing the Tragedy Unfold
Acting promptly on Ajit Pawar's instructions, Gujar reached the airport with a few party workers and Ajit Pawar's staff. They positioned themselves at one end of the runway, anticipating the arrival. "At 8:45 am, we spotted the plane. It took one round during which it was flying with great speed," Gujar described. Expecting the aircraft to reduce speed in the second round before landing, they were horrified to see it maintain top speed, tumble twice in the air, and crash to the ground away from the landing strip.
The group rushed to the crash site in their vehicle. "We saw thick smoke emitting from the plane amid fire. And then there was the first blast. One body was flung out of the plane," Gujar recounted. Despite the mangled state of the body, Gujar immediately recognized it as Ajit Pawar's, owing to their decades-long close association. Election-related papers were scattered around his body, a poignant reminder of the unfinished work.
A Leader's Ambition and Legacy
Reflecting on Ajit Pawar's political aspirations, Gujar noted, "It is true that Ajit Pawar wanted to become chief minister. But that was because he wanted to show the people what he can do for them, for the state of Maharashtra." He emphasized that Ajit Pawar viewed this ambition not as a personal goal but as an opportunity to serve, having already proven his mettle as an MLA, Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister. "Ajitdada did not want anything for himself. He was a giver and he wanted to do good for the people of Maharashtra," Gujar affirmed.
Emotional Farewell and Nephew's Heartfelt Tribute
Two days after the tragedy, Ajit Pawar's ashes were immersed at the confluence of the Nira and Karha rivers in Baramati. His sons, Parth and Jay, collected the ashes from the funeral site at Vidya Pratishthan ground. Seated in a small boat, family members performed the final rites, marking a somber conclusion to the life of a prominent political figure.
In an emotional social media post, nephew and MLA Rohit Pawar expressed his profound grief. "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that a time would come to collect the ashes of Ajitdada from the very place where he nurtured a garden of development," he wrote. Rohit described his mind as numb and his heart frozen, with relentless thoughts about the sudden loss.
He praised Ajit Pawar's unwavering dedication and straightforward nature. "His firm grip on administration, his strong command over politics, and his straightforward nature. He never played political games; he said 'yes' to yes and 'no' to no, always speaking the truth," Rohit noted. He lamented the abruptness of the tragedy, questioning how a leader so integral to Maharashtra's progress could vanish in an instant.
In a poignant reflection, Rohit Pawar shared, "Today, while collecting his ashes, I felt that like a Phoenix, Ajitdada, would suddenly rise from the ashes in his usual style." He imagined his uncle's deep voice admonishing them for their tears, treating the tragedy as a mock drill to test their resilience. "Now get up, get to work… we have so much to do for Maharashtra and its common people. Come on, don't be late," he envisioned Ajit Pawar saying, underscoring the enduring spirit and legacy left behind.
