Mumbai, January 28: The sirens wailing near Baramati today signal more than just an emergency; they echo a hauntingly familiar tragedy that has plagued Indian public life for decades. With the confirmed loss of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an aviation disaster earlier this morning, the nation is once again forced to confront the perilous relationship between political urgency and aviation safety. This incident is not an anomaly but the latest chapter in a grim chronicle of high-profile leaders whose journeys were cut short by the volatility of the skies.

From the dense forests of the Nallamala hills to the snowy peaks of Arunachal, air crashes have altered the course of Indian politics with brutal suddenness, leaving behind "what ifs" that linger for generations. Who Was Ajit Pawar? Biography, Family Tree, and Political Journey of NCP Leader.

Prominent Leaders Lost to Air Crashes

The history of Indian politics is punctuated by these sudden voids. Below is a comprehensive list of the leaders and dignitaries who have lost their lives in plane and helicopter accidents, spanning from the pre-independence era to the present day.

Recent Tragedies (2020s)

  • Ajit Pawar (2026): The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra died on January 28, 2026, when his aircraft crashed during a landing attempt in Baramati, Pune.

  • Vijay Rupani (2025): The former Chief Minister of Gujarat lost his life in June 2025 in an aviation accident near Ahmedabad.

  • General Bipin Rawat (2021): India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) died on December 8, 2021, along with his wife and 12 defence personnel. Their Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, due to unexpected cloud cover leading to Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).

The Chief Minister Curse

  • Dorjee Khandu (2011): The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh died when his Eurocopter B3 crashed in high-altitude terrain near the Sela Pass. His body was recovered days later after an intense search.

  • YS Rajasekhara Reddy (2009): In one of the most shocking incidents in South Indian politics, the Andhra Pradesh CM died on September 2, 2009. His Bell 430 helicopter crashed in the Nallamala Forest amid torrential rain and poor visibility.

  • Balwantrai Mehta (1965): The Chief Minister of Gujarat was killed during the Indo-Pakistani War when his civilian aircraft was shot down by a Pakistani fighter jet over the Kutch region.

National Leaders & Cabinet Ministers

  • OP Jindal & Surender Singh (2005): The Haryana Power Minister and Agriculture Minister, respectively, died together when their helicopter developed a technical snag and crashed in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

  • GMC Balayogi (2002): The Lok Sabha Speaker died on March 3, 2002, when his helicopter crashed into a fish pond in Kaikalur, Andhra Pradesh, due to pilot disorientation in low visibility.

  • Madhavrao Scindia (2001): A senior Congress leader and former Union Minister, Scindia died on September 30, 2001. His private Cessna aircraft caught fire and crashed in a paddy field in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, during heavy rains.

  • Sanjay Gandhi (1980): A key figure in the Congress party, he died instantly on June 23, 1980, while performing aerobatics in a Pitts S-2A aircraft near Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi.

  • Mohan Kumaramangalam (1973): The Union Minister of Steel and Mines was among the victims of the Indian Airlines Flight 440 crash near New Delhi.

Other Notable Figures

  • Soundarya (2004): The popular actress and BJP campaigner died when her Cessna aircraft crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff from Bangalore.

  • C Sangma (2004): The Meghalaya Community and Rural Development Minister died in a helicopter crash near Shillong.

  • Dera Natung (2001): The Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister was killed in a helicopter crash near Tawang.

  • Subhas Chandra Bose (1945): The legendary leader of the INA is officially recorded as having died in a plane crash in Taihoku (Taiwan), a pivotal moment that remains a subject of historical debate.

The Unlearned Lessons

The recurrence of these tragedies points to systemic issues that go beyond mere misfortune. In many of these cases - most notably with YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Madhavrao Scindia, and General Bipin Rawat - "press-on-itis" or the pressure to reach a destination despite adverse weather played a fatal role. VVIPs often fly in single-engine helicopters or aging fixed-wing aircraft to remote locations with limited navigational aids, turning routine travel into high-stakes gambles. ‘Ajit Pawar Was a Leader of the People’: PM Narendra Modi Condoles Death of Maharashtra Deputy CM; Mamata Banerjee and Nitin Gadkari Also Mourn NCP President’s Demise.

As the nation mourns the loss of Ajit Pawar, the conversation must inevitably shift from condolences to correction. The skies do not respect political stature, and until strict "no-go" protocols for bad weather are enforced without exception, the list of leaders lost to the clouds threatens to grow longer. Today is a day of mourning, but it must also serve as a final warning: safety cannot be the price of leadership.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2026 12:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).