Ajit Pawar Died In Plane Crash: 5 Times Ajit Pawar Shocked Everyone With His Political Decisions

NCP Leader- Ajit Pawar's aircraft crashed while landing in Baramati, Maharashtra on Wednesday morning.

According to these reports, the aircraft was attempting an emergency landing when it allegedly crashed near the airport premises.

Reports further claim that the two pilots and two security personnel travelling with Pawar were also on board at the time. Visuals circulating from the site showed aircraft debris scattered across the area, with flames and thick smoke rising from the wreckage. Ajit Pawar was travelling in a privately operated chartered plane that had four other occupants.

According to preliminary information, Ajit Pawar was on his way to Baramati to attend four public programmes ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. The aircraft, identified in reports as a Learjet 45 chartered from Mumbai, allegedly ran into trouble during landing.

Images from the crash site showed the aircraft badly damaged, with parts strewn across the ground. Initial visuals indicated a large fire at the spot, prompting emergency services to rush to the area.

Recalling Ajit Pawar's 5 Most decisive decisions In Politics:

Ajit Pawar- known as one of the most decisive and unpredictable leaders in Maharashtra politics, his political moves have often caught both allies and opponents off guard. Time and again, his decisions reshaped power equations in the state and triggered intense political debate.

Over the years, several moments stand out when Ajit Pawar's choices stunned political circles and changed the direction of Maharashtra's politics.

1. The Shock 2019 Swearing-In With BJP

One of the biggest surprises of Ajit Pawar's political career came in November 2019, when he suddenly broke ranks with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and took oath as Deputy Chief Minister alongside BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.

The ceremony, held early in the morning, stunned the political establishment. At the time, negotiations were underway between the Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP to form a government. Ajit Pawar claimed he had the backing of a majority of NCP MLAs, briefly derailing the alliance talks.

However, the move fell apart within days when most NCP legislators publicly reaffirmed their support for Sharad Pawar. Though short-lived, the episode firmly established Ajit Pawar as a leader capable of making sudden, high-stakes political calls.

2. A Quick Return to the NCP Fold

Just days after the dramatic split, Ajit Pawar returned to the NCP and rejoined his uncle Sharad Pawar. He issued a public apology, a move that surprised many who had expected a prolonged confrontation.

His return played a key role in clearing the way for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, led by Uddhav Thackeray. The episode highlighted both Sharad Pawar's grip over the party and Ajit Pawar's willingness to step back when political numbers did not favour him.

3. Pune Civic Poll Controversy Over Candidates From Jail

Another decision that sparked intense discussion came ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, when the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction announced candidates who were currently behind bars.

The party gave tickets to Sonali Andekar and Lakshmi Andekar, who are in judicial custody in connection with the Ayush Komkar murder case. Both were fielded from Ward No. 23 on the NCP symbol and filed their nomination papers directly from jail after receiving conditional court permission.

The decision raised eyebrows, especially since Ajit Pawar had earlier promised to make Pune crime-free. Political debate intensified as both women are also accused in an extortion case involving over ₹5 crore. The court strictly barred their family members, including Bandu Andekar, from holding rallies or making public speeches during the nomination process.

The move followed an earlier controversy when the Ajit Pawar faction had fielded Jayshree Marne, wife of gangster Gaja Marne, deepening questions over the party's candidate selection strategy.

4. The 2023 NCP Split and Entry Into Shinde Government

In July 2023, Ajit Pawar once again surprised everyone by splitting the NCP and joining the BJP-Eknath Shinde-led government. He took oath as Deputy Chief Minister for the third time, along with several NCP MLAs.

The decision caused a vertical split in the party and triggered a fierce political battle over legitimacy, symbols, and leadership. It also significantly strengthened the ruling alliance while weakening the opposition camp.

This move marked a decisive break from political tradition and underlined Ajit Pawar's willingness to chart his own course, even at the cost of party unity.

5. Open Rift With Sharad Pawar and Assertion of Independence

Perhaps the most telling shift in Ajit Pawar's political journey has been his open distancing from Sharad Pawar. For years, he was seen as the natural heir within the NCP. However, recent decisions showed his intent to function as an independent power centre.

By taking major calls without his uncle's backing and negotiating alliances on his own terms, Ajit Pawar signalled a clear transition from being a successor to becoming a standalone leader. This change surprised many who believed the Pawar family would always move in unison.