Maharashtra – Calls Grow for Clarity Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Death
Maharashtra – Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday said unanswered questions continue to surround the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, urging authorities to place all verified facts before the public. Speaking in Nagpur, Wadettiwar said that while officials have described the incident as an accident, lingering doubts have left many citizens unconvinced.
He noted that public confidence can only be maintained if the circumstances leading to such a major loss are explained clearly and without ambiguity. According to Wadettiwar, the absence of detailed clarification has allowed speculation to grow, making transparency essential.
Demand for transparency in public life
Addressing reporters, Wadettiwar said that the repeated assurances of an accidental crash have not addressed several concerns being raised in political and public circles. He stressed that when the death involves a senior constitutional authority, the government has a responsibility to ensure that all relevant information is shared openly.
He added that clarity in such matters is not about assigning blame prematurely, but about safeguarding democratic accountability. Wadettiwar said that a credible explanation would help prevent misinformation and restore public trust in institutions responsible for safety and investigation.
Opposition voices raise further doubts
The issue gained further political attention after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut publicly expressed suspicion over the circumstances of Ajit Pawar’s death. Raut claimed that recent political developments and reported pressure related to past cases had raised serious questions that could not be ignored.
According to Raut, the sequence of events leading up to the crash, combined with emerging details, warranted a deeper and impartial inquiry. He said that concerns were not limited to opposition parties, but were also being voiced within Ajit Pawar’s own political circle.
Raut maintained that when facts continue to surface after an incident, it becomes necessary to re-examine earlier conclusions. He said the death of a senior leader in a plane crash demanded careful scrutiny rather than quick closure.
Details of the fatal crash
Ajit Pawar, aged 66, died on January 28 when the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. The crash occurred during the morning hours and resulted in the deaths of four others on board.
Those who lost their lives included Pawar’s personal security officer, a flight attendant, and two pilots. Initial reports described difficult landing conditions, though officials have stated that the exact cause would be determined only after a technical investigation.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but there were no survivors. The incident sent shockwaves across Maharashtra’s political landscape, given Pawar’s prominence and long public career.
Investigation underway by aviation authorities
Following the crash, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau initiated a formal probe to determine the cause of the accident. Officials have said the investigation will examine flight data, aircraft condition, weather factors, and communication records.
Authorities have assured that the inquiry will follow established aviation safety protocols and that its findings will be made public once completed. Until then, they have urged restraint from speculation and premature conclusions.
Appeal against politicising the tragedy
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has appealed to political leaders and the public not to politicise the death of his nephew. He reiterated that the crash was an accident and said respect should be shown to the deceased and their families while investigations continue.
In the days following the tragedy, Sunetra Pawar, a senior Nationalist Congress Party leader and widow of Ajit Pawar, was sworn in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai.