Ajit Pawar, 66, died on Wednesday in a plane crash near Baramati airport, a development that has triggered both administrative decisions and political realignments within the ruling coalition and the NCP. The state government has announced three days of official mourning.
According to party sources, senior NCP leaders Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde and Sunil Tatkare met Sunetra Pawar in Mumbai following the tragedy. Sunetra Pawar, currently a Rajya Sabha member, is also being seen as a potential candidate from the Baramati assembly constituency, long regarded as Ajit Pawar’s political stronghold.
A photograph from January 28, taken after Ajit Pawar’s death, shows Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde meeting Sunetra Pawar, fuelling speculation about her future role in the state government. While no formal announcement has been made, sources say the leadership is keen to ensure political continuity in Baramati and stability within the NCP.
At the organisational level, discussions are intensifying over a leadership change in the party. Praful Patel is being considered for the post of NCP president, with senior leaders expected to meet Chief Minister Fadnavis to discuss the proposal. The developments come amid renewed talk of a possible merger between the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction and the Sharad Pawar-led group, a move that could significantly alter Maharashtra’s political equations.
Meanwhile, details have emerged about the fatal air crash. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the pilot attempted to land at Baramati airport but aborted the first attempt due to poor runway visibility. During a second landing attempt, the aircraft fell short of the runway and caught fire.
The crash claimed five lives, including Ajit Pawar, two pilots, a female crew member and a security personnel. The airline, VSR Ventures, said the pilot had over 16,000 hours of flying experience, while the co-pilot had logged around 1,500 hours. The company maintained that there was no technical fault in the aircraft.
As Maharashtra mourns the loss of one of its most influential leaders, the coming days are expected to be crucial in determining both the future leadership of the NCP and the political succession in Baramati.
