NEW DELHI (AP) \u2014 A private plane carrying a deputy chief minister crashed in an open field in western India on Wednesday, killing the official and four other\u2026<\/b>
\nA private plane carrying a deputy chief minister crashed in an open field in western India on Wednesday, killing the official and four other people on board, aviation authorities said. There were no survivors.
The aircraft was en route from India\u2019s financial capital of Mumbai to Ajit Pawar\u2019s home city Baramati when it crash-landed and burst into flames some 254 kilometers (159 miles) from Mumbai. The reason for the crash was not immediately known. Television footage showed smoke rising from the wreckage.
Pawar, 66, was the deputy chief minister of India\u2019s western Maharashtra state. He was traveling to Baramati to campaign in a local election when the privately-operated aircraft went down.
Two of his staffs and two crew members on board the mid-size Learjet 45 also died, the directorate general of civil aviation said in an initial statement.
Pawar was a key figure in state politics and served as the second highest elected official in Maharashtra as part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s ruling coalition in the state. He wielded considerable influence in the the state\u2019s sugar belt and was known for his ability to mobilize rural voters.
Modi expressed his condolences, calling Pawar a committed public servant.
\u201cHis understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy,\u201d Modi said on X. \u201cHis untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers.\u201d
Copyright
\u00a9 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.<\/p>\n