Former Minister Mahadev Jankar Reveals Close Call with Baramati Plane Crash

In a shocking revelation, former Maharashtra minister Mahadev Jankar shared that he was meant to fly with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on the day of the tragic Baramati plane crash. Due to a late arrival in Mumbai, he missed the flight that resulted in the loss of Pawar and four others. Jankar expressed his sorrow over the incident, highlighting the significant impact of Pawar's death on the state. As a leader of the Rashtriya Samaj Party, Jankar's insights shed light on the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this tragedy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 5, 2026, 10:19 IST

Mahadev Jankar's Narrow Escape from Tragedy

Mahadev Jankar, a former minister from Maharashtra, has disclosed that he was scheduled to travel with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on the day of the tragic plane crash in Baramati last week. However, due to his late arrival in Mumbai, he was unable to join Pawar on the flight.

On January 28, around 8:45 AM, a chartered aircraft crashed at the Baramati airport in Pune district, resulting in the deaths of Ajit Pawar and four others who were traveling from Mumbai.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Jankar, who leads the Rashtriya Samaj Party (RSP), mentioned that he had spoken with Pawar shortly before the accident and was invited to travel to Baramati on the same flight. He expressed regret, stating, 'Unfortunately, I arrived late in Mumbai, which prevented me from flying with Ajit Pawar to Baramati.'

He described the incident as a deeply unfortunate event, emphasizing that Pawar's passing is a significant loss for the state. Jankar, a leader of the Dhangar (shepherd) community, heads the RSP, which holds influence in several districts across western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, and Marathwada. He previously served as the Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries in the BJP-led government in 2016.