Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar died in a tragic plane crash near Baramati on Tuesday morning. Reports indicate that four others, possibly including the aircraft crew and Pawar’s security personnel, were also killed in the accident.

The small aircraft took off from Mumbai around 8 am and crashed near Baramati airport while attempting to land approximately an hour later. Pawar was scheduled to attend four significant public meetings as part of his campaign ahead of the local body polls.

Visuals from the scene showed smoke and fire, with the wreckage of the plane scattered near the runway. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, although initial reports confirm multiple fatalities. Details regarding the cause of the crash are still awaited.

The incident has sent shockwaves across the state, as Ajit Pawar was a prominent political figure and key campaigner for the upcoming elections.

Party leadership discusses political situation, organisational strengthening and outreach plans as preparations for the 2026 assembly elections gather pace

Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Nabin on Tuesday held a high-level strategy meeting with senior leaders of the West Bengal unit in Durgapur, signalling the party’s intensified push ahead of the state assembly elections.

The meeting focused on reviewing the current political situation in West Bengal, strengthening the party organisation and chalking out future strategies to expand the BJP’s presence across the state.

Senior leaders present at the discussions included Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, former state president Dilip Ghosh, Dr Sukanta Majumdar and Rahul Sinha.

Following the meeting, Dr Sukanta Majumdar and Rahul Sinha told media persons that the BJP would step up public outreach programmes and reinforce its grassroots organisational structure in the coming weeks. They expressed confidence that the party is moving steadily towards forming the government in West Bengal this year.

Nabin’s visit marks his first trip to the state since assuming charge as the BJP’s national president. His two-day tour includes a review of election preparations, organisational meetings and participation in public programmes aimed at energising party workers.

On Wednesday, Nabin is scheduled to offer prayers at the Bhiringi Kali Mandir in the morning before addressing the BJP Karyakarta Sammelan of the Bardhaman division at the Chitralaya Mela Maidan in Durgapur. He will later address the Asansol district BJP Karyakarta Sammelan in Raniganj.

As part of its election preparations for the 2026 assembly polls, the BJP has also finalised a list of Prabasi leaders from several states to strengthen its campaign across different regions of West Bengal, including Nabadwip, Kolkata and the Howrah–Hooghly–Midnapore belt.

The list comprises senior leaders, legislators, former ministers, organisational office-bearers and youth leaders deputed from states such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Tripura. These leaders will work in coordination with the West Bengal unit to oversee organisational activities, election readiness and grassroots mobilisation in their assigned districts.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah is scheduled to visit West Bengal on January 30 and 31. During his two-day tour, Shah is expected to hold key organisational and political meetings to review preparations and boost party morale ahead of the upcoming electoral challenges.

The first phase of Parliament’s Budget Session begins today with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of both Houses, setting the stage for a politically charged session ahead of the Union Budget.

In the run-up to the session, opposition parties have signalled their intent to corner the Narendra Modi government on a range of issues, including recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the G RAM G Act.

Opposition flags key concerns

At an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, opposition leaders outlined the matters they want raised during the session. However, the scope for extended debate in the first phase is expected to remain limited due to a packed schedule focused largely on budgetary business.

After the President’s address today, the Economic Survey will be tabled tomorrow. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget on Sunday, marking her ninth consecutive budget presentation. This will be followed by discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in both Houses, to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond.

The first leg of the Budget Session will conclude on February 13, while the second phase is set to begin on March 9.

Trump remarks, SIR and rural job law in focus

Among the issues highlighted by the opposition are what they describe as shifting statements by US President Trump regarding a trade deal with India. Opposition parties have also raised concerns over complications arising from the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists in several states.

The G RAM G Act, which has replaced MGNREGA, is another major flashpoint. Opposition parties argue that the new legislation requires detailed discussion, while also alleging misuse of central agencies against opposition leaders.

An ally of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, the Telugu Desam Party, is learnt to be preparing a demand for restrictions on social media access for children aged between 0 and 16 years.

Opposition leaders may also question the government’s silence on geopolitical developments in regions such as Venezuela and Greenland.

Government rules out debate on select issues

The Centre has made it clear that it is not inclined to reopen discussions on SIR and the G RAM G Act during the session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has maintained that the SIR was debated extensively during discussions on electoral reforms in the Monsoon Session.

Despite this, the Trinamool Congress is expected to push for a discussion on SIR, particularly in the context of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also likely to lead a protest in Delhi on the issue.

On the G RAM G Act, the government’s stand is that the legislation has already been passed and enacted, leaving little room for further debate in Parliament.

UGC regulations unlikely to dominate session

The controversy surrounding the new University Grants Commission regulations is not expected to feature prominently during the Budget Session. Major political parties have largely remained silent on the issue, with only a few leaders raising concerns publicly.

While some Members of Parliament may attempt to flag the matter, the UGC regulations are unlikely to emerge as a central point of confrontation in the current session.