‘This Is A Huge Loss For Maharashtra’: Grieving Sharad Pawar Breaks Silence On Ajit Pawar’s Death, Urges Leaders To Keep Politics Away

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday appealed to people not to politicise the death of his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a tragic plane crash near Baramati.

Calling the incident a pure accident, the veteran leader said politics should be kept out of a personal and public tragedy. In a video message, Sharad Pawar said, “This is a huge loss for Maharashtra. Maharashtra has lost a dynamic and decisive leader. Some people are saying there is some politics behind this, but it was an accident, and there is no politics involved. Politics should not be brought into this.”

Leaders Demand Probe

His statement came amid rising political reactions and demands for a probe into the crash. Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee hinted at possible foul play and called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation.

In a post on X, Mamata Banerjee wrote, “Deeply shocked and stunned by the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati this morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family, including his uncle Sharad Pawar, and late Ajit’s all friends and followers. The incident needs a proper investigation.”

TMC Questions Timing

Backing her demand, senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh questioned the timing of the crash and linked it to recent political developments. He said, “The death of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is a very sad matter. Our supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has spoken about this. There should be a full investigation into this; it is our party’s demand. A few days ago, there was news that Ajit Pawar was planning to leave the BJP and form an alliance with the opposition. At such a time, news of this accident has come. There should be an investigation into this.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also called the death “premature” and described the incident as “unnatural.” He said, “We will demand an investigation into this accident. It is a very sad incident. Ajit Pawar died a premature death. The passing away of a hard-working man has shocked us all. We are with his family in this hour. An investigation must take place because the accident is unnatural. All the leaders and corporate people fly for urgent work. It was a small plane, so why did this happen? It should be investigated.”

Details of the Plane Crash

Ajit Pawar, 66, died after the chartered aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district around 8.48 am. The plane crash-landed near the runway threshold, killing all five people on board, including his personal security officer, a flight attendant, and two pilots.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have sent investigation teams to the site.

Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati for campaigning ahead of the Zilla Panchayat elections. He was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having held the post six times across different governments. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and sons Jay and Parth Pawar.

(With inputs from ANI)

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